Discover the Marvels of the Mexican Buckeye Tree

Have you ever heard of a wonderful tree called the Mexican Buckeye? If not, you're in for a treat! This small, lovely tree is not only beautiful to look at but it's also quite easy to take care of. In this article, we'll dive into everything you need to know about taking care of a Mexican Buckeye tree.

Examples of wild Mexican Buckeye breaking dormancy and growing through the rocks at Enchanted Rock Natural State Area, March 13, 2024

What is a Mexican Buckeye Tree?

The Mexican Buckeye tree, or Ungnadia speciosa, is a special kind of tree that grows pretty pink flowers in the spring. It's not actually related to true buckeye trees but gets its name because its seeds look similar. This tree can light up any garden in Central Texas with its bright flowers and the leaves even turn a stunning shade of yellow or gold in the fall.

Photo taken in the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, with Seed Examples, March 10, 2024

Growing Your Own Mexican Buckeye: Step-by-Step Propagation Guide

Bringing a new Mexican Buckeye tree into the world is an exciting adventure. The journey starts from a tiny seed! If you're ready to grow one by yourself, here's a more detailed guide on how to propagate these charming trees. Remember, the secret behind faster germination is a simple process called "scarification." Let’s break down the steps:

1. Collect Seeds: Wait until late fall when Mexican Buckeye seeds are ripe and ready. These seeds are usually encased in a hard shell.
2. Scarification: This sounds fancy, but it really just means we need to help the seed’s outer coat break down a bit to encourage sprouting. You can gently nick (make a small cut) or lightly file the seed's hard outer coat without damaging the inside part. This process mimics natural conditions that break down the seed coat, speeding up germination.
3. Soak The Seeds: After nicking the seeds, soak them in water for 24 hours. This extra step helps further soften the outer coat and wakes up the seed.
4. Planting: Now it's time to plant your prepared seeds! Grab a pot with good drainage and fill it with potting soil. Plant your seeds about 1 inch deep into the soil.
5. Watering: Water your newly planted seeds gently but make sure the soil is consistently moist, not flooded. A good rule of thumb is to keep the soil like a well-wrung sponge - damp but not dripping wet.
6. Patience and Care: Place your pot in a spot where it can get some gentle sunlight. Now, patience is key! Keep an eye on moisture and wait for nature to do its magic. Depending on various conditions, seeds can take several weeks to sprout.
7. Young Plant Care: Once your seedlings emerge and begin to grow, ensure they continue receiving plenty of light and water as needed. When they get big enough, you can transplant them into their final spot in your garden come springtime.

By following these steps and giving your seeds some initial help through scarification, you’ll speed up the germination process and be on your way to growing a beautiful Mexican Buckeye tree much sooner than you might think!

How Big Does it Get?

A Mexican Buckeye can grow to be about 8 to 12 feet tall and sometimes even taller, up to 30 feet, if it's really happy where it's planted.

Why Everyone Loves Them

• Butterflies and Bees: These trees are like party hosts for bees and butterflies. Their flowers are perfect spots for these little creatures to hang out.
• Beauty All Year: With their changing colors and interesting pods, they keep our city looking pretty all through the year.
• Just Right for Austin: They don’t get too big, don’t mind the heat, and love our soil - making them perfect trees for our gardens.

Caring for Your Mexican Buckeye Tree

• Watering: When your Mexican Buckeye tree is young and just starting out in life, it needs more attention and water from you - think of giving it water regularly. But once it grows up and becomes stronger, it can handle drier conditions much better.
• Where to Plant: These trees love places that get plenty of sunlight but can also handle a bit of shade. Make sure there's enough room for it to grow tall!
• Soil Needs: They aren’t too picky but planting them in well-drained soil makes them happiest.
• Mature Tree Care: As your tree gets older, you'll find it doesn't need as much care. Just keep an eye on how much water it's getting (especially if the weather is very dry) and prune away any branches that are dead or look sick. This keeps your tree healthy and looking good.

In A Nutshell

So there you have it – everything you need to start growing your own little piece of Central Texas’s natural beauty right in your backyard. The Mexican Buckeye Tree isn't just easy to care for; it adds sparkle to our city landscapes and supports local wildlife. Let's plant more of these amazing trees and help keep Austin beautiful and lively!

Photos taken at Sculpture Falls Trail, Mexican Buckeye in flower. March 8, 2024

Quick Fun Facts

• The seeds of the Mexican Buckeye are shiny and dark but should not be eaten—they’re not tasty at all!
• It can sometimes be mistaken for a redbud tree because they both have pretty spring flowers.

Additional Resources

"Ungnadia Speciosa." _Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center_, The University of Texas at Austin, https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=unsp

"Ungnadia Speciosa." Texas A&M University Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University System, https://aggie-hort.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/ungnadiaspecio.htm.

"Ungnadia Speciosa (Texas Buckeye)." Dallas County Master Gardeners, dallascountymastergardeners.org/ungnadia-speciosa-texas-buckeye/.

Created and Written By: Zane Williams

Originally posted 05/01/2024