Buckeye (Horsechestnut) Family
"Ohio Buckeye"  "Fetid Buckeye" "American Horse-chestnut"

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.  Psalm  34:15

Buckeye (Horsechestnut) Family
"Ohio Buckeye"  "Fetid Buckeye" "American Horse-chestnut"
(Aesculus glabra)
Ohio Buckeye

Tree in Autumn

In Autumn the palmately compound leaves of this tree turn yellow.  Large buds containing next year’s leaves are already visible on the branches.

Leaves in Autumn

In late summer squirrels gather the nuts.  People do not eat them because they contain poison that would first need to be removed.  A prickly shell covers a shiny brown nut that has a white spot.  That makes the nut look like the eye of a  deer – hence the name “buckeye”.

Ohio Buckeye Nuts

            The Bible says that God’s eyes are watching us and God is aware of our needs.  May God open our eyes to the needs of others and to the beauty of nature in the created world.

Dear Lord,
            Open our eyes to see the needs of others.  Open our eyes to see the beauty of fallen leaves and the potential buds for next year.  Help us to appreciate the beauty of trees.  In your name we pray, Amen.