Ohio Buckeye

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Aesculus glabra

FAMILY: Hippocastanaceae

Hardiness Zones 4 to 7

Growth habit: This slow growing tree, rarely reaching heights over 40 feet in Colorado is native from Pennsylvania to Nebraska. Its form is rounded and its large leaves and low branching provide a dense shade. It is a drought-adaptive tree, using less water during drought.

Foliage: Leaves are large, and opposite palmately compound with 5 leaflets. Each leaflet is 3 to 6 inches long, elliptic-oblong and pointed at the tip.

Buds: Large, long (2/3”) brown and pointed.

Flowers: Large yellow inflourescence in May.

Fruit: Large (1”+) brown hard capsule with prickly cover.

Bark: Whitish smooth to platey turning more grayish-brown as tree ages.

Insects and diseases: Minimal insect and disease problems.

Landscape value: Medium size tree. Excellent choice for many landscapes especially xeriscape. Has a beautiful early orange autumn foliage. Often shades out lawn and seeds can be a nuisance.

Information sources: Michael Dirr, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (University of Georgia, 1990)

Photo by statesymbols.org