LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As moms and dads know, “boys will be boys” and for fun will indulge in such hazardous and disgusting things as rock, clod, egg and tomato fights.

In Lake County we also enjoyed the rare “sport” of throwing buckeye balls at each other.

The Western Buckeye (aesculus Californica) grows in well-drained areas. 

A group of trees 20 to 30 yards formed a great “battlefield.”

Each boy would claim a “fortress” with a built-in ammo dump. 

The ammo in the form of large round missiles hung from branches making it easy for even a small boy to pluck and throw them in rapid succession at the “enemy.”

Of course, today I look at this lustrous mahogany brown seed – very firm – dressed in gray, dangling from silver-gray branches, as a living sculpture. 

In spring the seed will sprout when it comes in contact with rain-soaked soil, resulting in a single or multi-trunk tree of 20 feet.

Dressed in large tropical-like leaves and clusters of fragrant white flowers, it makes an ornamental to behold. 

Oops, I almost forgot the bees.

Unfortunately its pollen and nectar cause severe birth defects to young honey bees.

I have fond memories of “planting” many of these trees about a stones throw from my “fortress.”

You're invited to learn more about native flora and all phases of gardening as a member of the Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club. 

The club meets at noon on the third Tuesday of each month at the Scott's Valley Women's Club, 2298 Hendricks Road in Lakeport. A light lunch is served.

The next meeting will be Oct. 21 and will feature a presentation by Eric Schramm of Mendocino Mushroom.

He is the author of “The Mushroom Book” and will speak about wild mushrooms.

For more information please call Marva Brandt at 707-279-1625 or visit www.clttgc.org .

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club is a member of Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Clubs Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.

Jerry Shaul is publicity chair for the Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club.