Holly Marie Dunfee
Dan Caterinicchia
Weather story outline

For my weather story, I have chosen to write an article on the Ohio Buckeye Tree. The buckeye is the state tree of Ohio, and if ingested, is very poisonous to livestock and humans. During the spring, the Ohio Buckeye aesculus glabra, develops yellow-green flowers and leaves. When ingested, the tree affects the central nervous system of the animal. The sprouts, leaves and nuts of the plant are reported to have caused illness or death. So far for my article I have done background research on the Ohio buckeye tree in order to get the facts. I have interviewed Dr. Ryan Rutter, a veterinarian in southeast, Ohio to find out about cases of buckeye toxicity. I plan to do a follow-up interview with him Monday evening. I have spoke with a representative from the Ohio Department of Agriculture in the division of plant industry to find out more about the buckeye tree. I am trying to contact a livestock producer to hear his story on the Ohio buckeye affecting his herd. Also, I want to know what actions are taken to prevent this from happening. For my final source and in order to get more information on weather data, I want to interview someone from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in the division of forestry to find out how the spring weather effects the growth of the buckeye tree. I am hoping that the ODNR will know more information on the effects the buckeye tree has on livestock in the spring.

Since, I am concerned about the Buckeye Story have a strong weather tie, I am working on changing my story to toxic ornamental shrubs that grow in the spring. I have heard multiple stories about spring ornamental shrubs killing livestock and pets. I am meeting with the lab toxicologist at the ODA for a source and in order to gather more information. Once I meet with him, I will see where the interview takes the rest of the story.