Introduction

A true North American native, Ohio buckeye forms a short trunk with a low branching structure, creating an oval to rounded canopy 40 to 50 feet wide on a tree 50 to 70 feet tall. The four- to six-inch-long, coarse, bright green, palmately compound leaves have an unpleasant odor when crushed, as do the twigs, giving this tree its other common name of "fetid buckeye". The fragrance should be a warning sign for this plant since all parts of it are poisonous, a factor which should be considered when placing it in the landscape. One of the first trees to shed its leaves in autumn, Ohio buckeye puts on a vivid display of bright orange and yellow fall foliage. The spring flowers are also quite showy, the erect, yellow/green, six-inch-high panicles decorating the branches. The one- to two-inch-long, showy, brown fruits ripen in late summer and may become a litter problem since they are very prickly. These fruits are quite popular with squirrels and other wildlife.

General Information

Scientific name: Aesculus glabra

Pronunciation: ESS-kew-lus GLAY-bruh

Common name(s): Ohio buckeye, fetid buckeye

Family: Hippocastanaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 4A through 7A (Fig. 2)

Origin: native to North America

Invasive potential: little invasive potential

Uses: shade; highway median

Availability: not native to North America

Description

Height: 50 to 70 feet

Spread: 40 to 50 feet

Crown uniformity: symmetrical

Crown shape: round

Crown density: dense

Growth rate: moderate

Texture: coarse

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite (Fig. 3)

Leaf type: palmately compound

Leaf margin: serrate

Leaf shape: elliptic (oval), ovate

Leaf venation: pinnate

Leaf type and persistence: deciduous

Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches, 4 to 8 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: yellow, orange

Fall characteristic: showy

Flower

Flower color: yellow

Flower characteristics: very showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: oval, round

Fruit length: 1 to 3 inches

Fruit covering: dry or hard

Fruit color: brown

Fruit characteristics: attracts squirrels/mammals; showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches droop; not showy; typically one trunk; thorns

Pruning requirement: needed for strong structure

Breakage: resistant

Current year twig color: reddish, brown

Current year twig thickness: thick

Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shade

Soil tolerances: sand; loam; clay; acidic; extended flooding; well-drained

Drought tolerance: moderate

Aerosol salt tolerance: none

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: yes

Outstanding tree: no

Ozone sensitivity: sensitive

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant

Pest resistance: sensitive to pests/diseases

Use and Management

Ohio buckeye will grow in full sun or partial shade on well drained, fertile soil but should not be exposed to extended drought or excessive heat, two factors which make this tree unsuitable for use as a street tree. Falling fruit would also be a problem along streets. It is suited for naturalized plantings or for establishing a native grove in a park. The fruit can be quite entertaining for children.

Propagation is by seed.

Pests

No pests are of major concern.

Diseases

Leaf blotch, powdery mildew, and leaf scorch.