Buckeye

By Aaron Horrell

The red buckeye tree is one of the first deciduous trees in Southeast Missouri to leaf out in spring. I took this photo on March 4 when almost all other trees in the woods were still dormant. I dug up 4 small buckeyes from my woods on this day and delivered them to a neighbor where we planted them in his yard. This is the best time of year to plant a buckeye tree.

Leaves will appear first in March, followed by clusters of tubular red flowers in April. Hummingbirds will happily visit buckeye flowers.

The leaves and seeds of buckeye trees are poisonous. This tree grows slowly and can be expected to grow about 15 feet tall.

Remember where you saw a buckeye blooming in spring. Then in autumn as the leaves on other trees begin to turn, go to the buckeye and search under it for a seed. Keep the seed in your pocket for good luck.