Trees - Buckeye
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(February) Late last summer I purchased three types of trees. All being about 4 ft. tall. I have two Buckeye, two Red Bud and two Japanese Maple trees. The Japanese Maples I planted in a five gallon pot with good potting soil and have them in the sun room. The other four trees I also planted in a 5 gallon pot with potting soil, and they are outside. My question is, when and how do I plant them in the ground? I would like to plant one of the Japanese Maples in a corner of my house that faces SW. (The seller suggested that I pot them through the winter). The other five trees will be planter in the backyard receiving the morning and some afternoon sun.

  Fall would have been a fantastic time to plant them, but hindsight is always 20/20. I am curious why it was recommended that they go in containers for the winter? For now, plant all the trees that are currently outside. The sooner they are planted, the quicker they can establish a root system, and the faster they will grow. The Japanese maples that are indoors surprises me. They like to go dormant. How well are they doing inside? Unfortunately, you can't move it out until spring, since it would not be hardened off enough after its stint indoors. The Japanese maple would benefit from a bit of afternoon shade, but otherwise can be planted in the soil.

(July) We have several buckeyes (red) on our property and each fall, I harvest them. I wait until the outer covering is beginning to split. At that point they are smooth with a beautiful color. As they "age", however; they become dark and quite wrinkled -- what can I do to prevent the wrinkling?

  That is simply the nature of the beast. Buckeye seed lose viability rapidly. What starts out as a full, shiny seed, quickly loses moisture and becomes a somewhat wrinkled "good luck charm", since they probably won't germinate at that point. If you plan to grow buckeyes from seed, then plant as soon as possible after harvest. If you simply want them as a talisman, then just enjoy them in whatever stage.

(August) I have a red buckeye that set out this spring it's leaves are turning brown and falling off it has been water two times a week can you help I don't want to lose it.

  It is not unusual for buckeyes to begin declining earlier than other trees, because they start their season so early. Continue to water when dry, but as long as the leaves are falling off, I wouldn't be overly concerned. Because they often have this early fall, I often don't recommend planting them in an extremely prominent spot in the landscape. They are best planted as an understory tree.

(December) Could you please send instructions on the proper way to plant buckeye seeds. We have 8 or 9 fresh seeds.

  As soon as you harvest buckeyes, you need to plant. They start to lose viability very quickly -- if they start to lose that shine, their germination rate is going down. You can either directly sow outdoors, or put them in the plastic bag with moist potting soil in your refrigerator. They do need the cool moist storage period for four months. Plant in the spring in either a container, or where you want the plants to grow.

(December) I have a buckeye seed that I want to get started. I tried this last fall by planting it outside in a pot and the squirrels got it. Should I keep it over the winter inside, and plant it in the Spring? If so, should I keep it in the refrigerator?

  Yes, by all means put the seed in a plastic bag filled with moist potting soil, in your refrigerator. These seeds lose their viability quickly if they dry out. Keep them refrigerated this winter, and plant outdoors in the spring. If you want to avoid the squirrel problem, you could plant the seeds outdoors and put some wire mesh or chicken wire on the ground over them. Remove it in the spring as the seedlings emerge.

  I have a large buckeye brought to me by my son from Ohio, the Buckeye State. Do these trees grow in Arkansas? I distinctly remember picking some from a bush on a wooded hill as a child. Is there any chance I could plant this seed I have and get a bush or tree? Are they edible?

  Buckeyes do grow wild in Arkansas, but they may not be the same variety as what you got from Ohio. The seeds do germinate, but they need to be planted as soon as possible after harvesting, and never be allowed to dry out. They lose viability quickly. If the seeds are still fresh, put them in a plastic bag with moist potting soil and put them in the refrigerator. Plant them outside where you want them or in a pot in the spring. Buckeyes form a strong tap root and are not easily transplanted once they start growing. The seeds are poisonous, although sometimes eaten by squirrels.

  I was walking through the woods surrounding my home and came across some pods hanging from a small tree. My neighbor told me they were a buckeye. Can I grow a buckeye from the seed, and if so, how do I treat the seed? What size tree do they make at maturity and what are the best growing conditions for a buckeye?

  The most common buckeye we have in the state is the Red Buckeye. These trees are small, understory trees, usually no taller than fifteen feet. They are best grown in partial sunlight. The seeds should be planted as soon as they are harvested, since they lose viability as they dry out. Either direct sow the seeds outside, or store the seeds in a plastic bag in moist potting soil. Usually it takes a minimum of 120 days of cool, moist storage before the seeds are ready to germinate. They can meet this requirement naturally outdoors. If you know where you want to plant the tree, direct sow outdoors, and flag the area to make sure you don’t damage the seedling when it emerges in the spring. If you want to move the plant later, you could sink a container in the ground, sow the seed in it. Then you will have an easily transplantable plant next year.

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