Rewilding My Lot

There are two oak trees in the front yard planted by the builder. Presumably eventually they will be big enough to shade the front yard, but they are growing very slowly and that time seems a long way off.

In the meantime, I am using the sunny front yard as an annual wildflower meadow (currently on its winter hiatus), and I have also decided to add a Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa) tree to the mix. By placing it on the east and south side of the oak trees, it should still get plenty of sun even as the oaks get bigger.

Mexican Buckeyes are fast-growing and drought-resistant. They need at least a half-day of sun and preferably afternoon shade, so this location should be ideal. Before digging, I requested that buried utility lines be marked by visiting texas811.org.

The tree I am planting was one I grew from seed myself, so that’s a first. That also means it’s tiny, but I will enjoy watching it grow. Mexican Buckeyes are deciduous, so the leaves will drop soon and then I will wait to see (hopefully!) new growth in the spring.

Here are some pictures taken during the planting process. For watering guidance I am using this document by the Texas A&M Forestry Service.

Inadvertently, I planted this baby Mexican Buckeye tree on Texas Arbor Day, so that was appropriate. “[T]he official Texas Arbor Day is held on the first Friday in November as a celebration of planting and nurturing trees and all the ways they enrich our lives and stabilize the environment.”