Three years ago there was only the one Red Buckeye bush on this side of the mountain. Now there are thousands. It is one of the first plants in the woodland to reawaken in spring. The Red Buckeye tree (or bush) starts sending out new leaves as early as February. That's up to a month before any of the oaks get their act together. Red Buckeye’s band of beautiful red flowers come dancing onto the stage in late March, early April and last on into the end of May. The flowers are an important source of nectar for those valiant hummingbirds determined to establish territorial rights before others flock in like they owned the place. Consequently, hummingbirds are one of its principal pollinators.
The Red Buckeye produces a potent poison for some animals and humans. American Indians pounded the seeds into powder and crushed branches of the Red Buckeye in with it, then used the concoction in order to catch fish. Throwing it into ponds and back swirls brought fish churning to the surface where they were easily caught. One man's poison is another man's potion, so after pioneers had chased the Indians off they chopped up some home remedies from the Red Buckeye bark and boiled up the gummy roots for use as a soap substitute.
The Red Buckeye thrives from southeastern North Carolina to central Florida; as far west as middle Texas and up into southern Illinois. The fibrous root system makes them easy to transplant and to form a new root system. Long, dark green leaves pull the limbs downward and provide cover for songbirds trying to keep their families fed. Mature bushes are close to ten feet tall, mature trees can go up to twenty feet tall, or more. The smooth bark is grayish-brown to light gray. One reason it thrives so well is that the Red Buckeye doesn't mind being overshadowed by other trees. It is said to It prefer rooting down along river bluffs, stream borders, swamps, and on flood plains -- None of which shows up here on the mountain in Van Buren County in Arkansas where I was first introduced to the bush. The bushes prefer damp locations but fight shy of pond banks.
Seeds of the Red Buckeye form in pods, contained in a smooth tan capsule with an eye on it. They feel good to rub on, and are said by some to bring more luck than a rabbit's foot. The Red Buckeye can be planted in straight rows like a fence, or in solitary units in front of your bird watching window. Pruning is hardly ever needed, and your neighbors will want cuttings to launch their own orchard.
Caution, do not use as firewood.
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