Significance of Tree: I’ve always loved buckeye
trees. A neighbor had one when I was young; I loved collecting the
nuts every year; I kept them displayed like marbles in my room. Fast
forward 20 years, I buy a house on Park Avenue in the Old Northside
with 6, yes, six, mature buckeye trees. (Park Avenue was once called
Buckeye Lane). I like the drooping branch pattern of the mature tree
that makes them look haunted, and the large flowers at the end of the
branches in the spring. I also love watching squirrels playing
buckeye-keep-away with my dogs
After a few years, I noticed that squirrels were storing the nuts
without eating them, effectively planting them so that tiny trees were
sprouting in the mulch in my gardens. I moved these seedlings to spots
where they could grow to maturity, and protected them. I also started
planting as many buckeyes as I could, with moderate success.I have
planted them on my properties, and given them to friends and
neighbors. Some of these seedlings have grown to 10-20 feet tall, and
have started producing nuts of their own! I hope to plant these seeds
and then I’ll have buckeye grandchildren! |
