“He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree.” Ezekiel 17:5
August 21, 2023 - From my earliest years, I heard stories about button willows from my father. Although I never met Ivy Tutton or Royce Mills, I know a lot about them. They were Daddy’s hunting and fishing friends. And everywhere they fished… Stuart’s Lake… the Sabine River or Tucker’s Lake… they fished mainly “under the button willows.” Later, my brothers and I fished with Daddy, Uncle Gink and Uncle Irvin---at Copper’s Mine, Tucker’s Lake and The Old River. We caught a lot of fish and mostly “under button willows.” Button Willows grow in shallow water at just the depth for the fish to nest.
In 1992, we bought our home in San Augustine and had a pond put in by Joel Lawson. One day we drove to Devil’s Ford Creek, dug up a pretty little Button Willow and planted it at the foot of the pond. This will not be just a button willow,” I said. “This will be “Daddy’s Button Willow.”
Many trees we planted are now gone, but the holly tree and button willow still thrive…and are beautiful. There are few things as beautiful as a swallowtail butterfly on a button willow.
We lost our apple and fig trees, but still have “Daddy’s Button Willow.” It continues to grow and the birds love to perch on its limbs before their bath in the pond. This handsome tree reminds me of Daddy every time I see it… and by the grace of God, I will see him again, too…
… some day.
