
Ohio Buckeye
The tree species Aesculus glabra is commonly known as Ohio buckeye, American buckeye, or fetid buckeye. A. glabra is one of 13–19 species of Aesculus also called horse chestnuts. It is native primarily to the Midwestern and lower Great Plains regions of the United States, extending southeas…
Is the Ohio buckeye tree an evergreen or a deciduous?
The Ohio buckeye is also known as American buckeye, fetid buckeye, and stinking buck-eye. It derives its unflattering common names from the disagreeable odor that emanates when the leaves are crushed. The leaves are dark green above and paler below. This deciduous tree is a good shade tree.
How to identify buckeye trees?
Related Varieties of Buckeye Trees
- Ohio buckeye: Red flowers with spiky fruit shells that open in September
- Horse Chestnut: White flowers, with fruit that grows in a green capsule with spikes
- Dwarf Red Buckeye: Pink or red flowers, only grows to 20 feet
- Yellow Buckeye: Yellow or yellow-green flowers, reaches heights of 35 feet
What does Ohio buckeye stand for?
“Buckeyes” has been the official Ohio State nickname since 1950, but it had been in common use for many years before. The first recorded use of the term Buckeye to refer to a resident of the area was in 1788, some 15 years before Ohio became a state. What are FSU colors? Florida State University/Colors. What shade is scarlet?
What do buckeye trees look like?
The buckeye tree consists of compound leaves, which are long and serrated with five elliptical leaflets, each growing from 4-6 inches (10-15 centimeters) in length. When in bloom, the buckeye produces pale white flowers which appear on branched clusters, also about 4-6 inches (10-15 centimeters) in length.

Where can I find a buckeye tree?
Ohio buckeye's natural range extends from Ohio and western Pennsylvania to parts of Alabama, and westward to areas of Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. (Grows in hardiness zones 4 to 7.) California buckeye (Aesculus californica) is the unique western buckeye species.
Where do Ohio buckeyes grow?
Aesculus glabra, commonly known as Ohio buckeye, is a species of tree in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae) native to North America. Willd. Its natural range is primarily in the Midwestern and lower Great Plains regions of the United States, extending southeast into the geological Black Belt of Alabama and Mississippi.
How common are buckeye trees in Ohio?
The buckeye tree is relatively common in Ohio, growing especially well along rivers and streams and in floodplains. People commonly confuse the buckeye tree with the Aesculus Hippocastanum, or the horse chestnut tree. In addition, the Aesculus octandra, or the yellow buckeye tree, also grows in Ohio.
Do buckeyes grow in Ohio?
The Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra) is native to Ohio and is well-suited to our soils and climate. It is the best-known of 13 species of buckeyes.
Can you eat buckeye nuts?
Removing the shell and roasting the nut neutralizes its harmful tannic acid content and makes for a protein-packed snack. If not prepared properly though, buckeye nuts are toxic to humans, causing symptoms including weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, paralysis, and death.
Are buckeyes hard to find?
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, buckeye made the nomination short list for America's national tree. You will find it difficult to find buckeyes in retail nurseries. However, you can order trees online or just head out to the forest in autumn and harvest seeds for yourself.
Is it illegal to cut down a buckeye tree in Ohio?
Ohio. Ohio state law has no provisions for tree removal on private property.
Where is the largest buckeye tree in Ohio?
41.822′ N, 83° 6.161′ W. Marker is in Friendship, Ohio, in Scioto County. Marker is on Edward Warren Drive (Cemetery Road), 0.2 miles north of Ohio River Scenic Byway (U.S. 52), on the right when traveling north. Marker and Buckeye tree are located across the street (east) from the Friendship United Methodist Church.
What is the most abundant tree in Ohio?
Currently oak-hickory forests are the most common forest type in the state at around 63 percent of all forests. A broader northern hardwood forest type that includes maple and beech is next in abundance, covering around 20 percent of Ohio's forestland.
Can I plant a buckeye and get a tree?
All buckeyes produce large, shiny seeds that can be used to grow new trees. The seeds germinate reliably when sown fresh, but most varieties require chilling to ensure a good outcome.
Can I grow a tree from a buckeye?
Seeds should be planted in loose, well-worked soil about 6 inches apart, and at a depth twice the diameter of the seed. It won't hurt to plant more Buckeyes than you want, since only half are likely to germinate. To help hold the soil in place, put 2 to 3 inches of mulch, straw or well-rotted sawdust over the planting.
What time of year can you find buckeyes?
Each fruit contains one to three seeds, with a spiky golden brown to green husk encasing them. The perfect time to collect seeds is during September and October when they begin dropping from mature trees. You can pick them up off the ground or harvest them by cutting them off the tree.
Where do buckeye trees grow best?
They do best in soils that are a silty clay loam, rich in organic matter, slightly acidic and moist but well drained. They can grow in other conditions, but won't do as well if soil is too dry, or very clay-based or sandy.
Where is the largest buckeye tree in Ohio?
41.822′ N, 83° 6.161′ W. Marker is in Friendship, Ohio, in Scioto County. Marker is on Edward Warren Drive (Cemetery Road), 0.2 miles north of Ohio River Scenic Byway (U.S. 52), on the right when traveling north. Marker and Buckeye tree are located across the street (east) from the Friendship United Methodist Church.
Is it illegal to cut down a buckeye tree in Ohio?
Ohio. Ohio state law has no provisions for tree removal on private property.
Can you grow a buckeye tree from a nut?
Seeds should be planted in loose, well-worked soil about 6 inches apart, and at a depth twice the diameter of the seed. It won't hurt to plant more Buckeyes than you want, since only half are likely to germinate. To help hold the soil in place, put 2 to 3 inches of mulch, straw or well-rotted sawdust over the planting.
Where do buckeyes live?
As for soil, Buckeyes are native to the banks of streams and forest floors. They do best in soils that are a silty clay loam, rich in organic matter, slightly acidic and moist but well drained. They can grow in other conditions, but won’t do as well if soil is too dry, or very clay-based or sandy.
How tall do buckeyes grow?
Be aware that buckeyes can reach 40 to 60 feet in height, though, so you won’t want them in your flowerbed.
Why are my buckeyes' leaves brown?
It is common, however, for buckeyes to get a fungal disease that causes brown blotches on the leaves. There’s not much you can do about it, and it usually doesn’t cause permanent damage. In the course of a season, the blotches can eventually spread over the whole tree, which can give it a “scorched” look. The leaves then fall off early.
When was the Brutus Buckeye mascot created?
The tree’s iconic nut inspired two students to create the wildly popular mascot Brutus Buckeye in 1965 , and who hasn’t found the sweet satisfaction of a buckeye recreated as the addictive chocolate and peanut butter treat?
Can buckeye trees grow in the South?
You can grow the tree outside its native range if conditions are right, although Snyder cautions it probably wouldn’t grow well in the deep South. The buckeye buds early, which means late frosts can hurt the leaves and blooms. Despite this, the buckeye is fairly tolerant of cold.
When do buckeye trees turn color?
2. In the fall buckeye trees are one of the first to turn color - If you are looking for buckeyes you often go in the early fall when the buckeyes are falling. Buckeye tree leaves will also be one of the first ones to change colors so keep an eye out for a tree with a lot of changing colors in late August and early September
What is a buckeye horse?
The Buckeye is the American version of the European Horse Chestnut (aka Conker). :)
Why is buckeye used?
Buckeye has been used by people for health purposes since ancient times. Arthritis, Hemorrhoids, Varicose Veins, reduction of Edema and as a salve to heal rashes and sores.
How to tell if a buckeye is not ripe?
If they are not on the ground look for spiked brown bunches hanging from the tree. If they are more green and yellow that is often a sign that the buckeye is not ripened yet.
Do buckeye nuts come from buckeye trees?
While not a big football fan, I do enjoy hunting for and collecting the actual buckeye nut from the buckeye trees.
Can humans eat buckeye nuts?
I forgot to mention that humans cannot eat the Buckeye nut as is. I believe there is a lengthy process involved in making them edible for humans however I'm not familiar with it. We stick to eating the Peanut Butter and Chocolate candy version of the Buckeye :)
Where is the Buckeye tree in Ohio?
Ohio buckeye ( Aesculus glabra) , the state tree of Ohio, is found primarily as an understory tree in the western half of Ohio , where the soils are more alkaline in pH. However, it is scattered throughout the eastern half of the state, except in extreme northeastern and extreme southeastern Ohio.
What is the best zone for Ohio Buckeye?
Ohio buckeye prefers shady conditions in its youth but grows in full sun to full shade from youth through maturity and is found in zones 4 to 7. Ohio buckeye often suffers from leaf blotch, leaf scorch, and powdery mildew on its foliage, which also plagues the closely related horsechestnut (but not yellow buckeye).
What is the difference between a Buckeye and a Horsechestnut?
Ohio buckeye is much smaller, elliptical (widest near the center of the leaflet), with a drawn-out and pointed tip. Horsechestnut is much larger , obovate (widest near the tip), but with a blunt tip that is almost absent.
What type of soil does Buckeye prefer?
Ohio buckeye prefers moist, well-drained soils of variable pH that are rich and deep, in partially sunny to partially shaded conditions. It adapts to average soils that are occasionally dry, but moderate to heavy leaf scorch will develop by mid-summer, especially when sited in full sun. Ohio buckeye prefers shady conditions in its youth ...
How big are horse chestnut trees?
A native of the Midwestern and Great Plains states, trees found in the open may reach 60 feet tall by 30 feet wide, but as a native understory it is often half that size. As a member of the horsechestnut family, it is related to other horsechestnuts and buckeyes, including man-made hybrids between the species.
What is the fruit of a Buckeye?
Fruits of Ohio buckeye usually contain one seed (or nut) enclosed in a slightly spiny, golden-brown husk. Fruits may occur singly or in clusters, enlarging and becoming more obvious by mid- to late summer.
Do Ohio Buckeye have a fused base?
Also, leaflets of Ohio buckeye are not fused at their bases like those of horsechestnut. Unfortunately, leaves of Ohio buckeye become very prone to scorching, discoloration, and foliar diseases by mid-summer, as does horsechestnut. As a result, Ohio buckeye and horsechestnut have a brown, fall-like appearance to their foliaged canopy by mid-summer ...
What is the state tree of Ohio?
The state symbol and state tree of Ohio, hence the name, the Ohio Buckeye is very attractive with 4 season appeal. It is a neatly rounded tree with sweeping branches and dense foliage that provides deep shade. One of the first trees to leaf out in the spring and the leaves turn pleasing shades of yellow, orange and sometimes red in fall. Its name comes from a small, dark brown nut with a light patch resembling the eye of a deer, which grows inside a showy, rounded and prickly fruit capsule. As with other buckeyes, erect clusters of golden flowers are held at the ends of the twigs in spring. Corky grey bark provides winter interest in the landscape. Get all the details below!
Why did the pioneers carry Buckeye seed in their pockets?
Pioneers carried a buckeye seed in their pockets to ward off rheumatism. The wood is used for furniture, boxes, flooring, and musical instruments.
Where to find Buckeye trees in Metro Parks?
Buckeye trees love moist soil, so look for them near water at Deep Lock Quarry and Furnace Run Metro Parks.
How many leaves does a Buckeye tree have in Ohio?
The leaves of the Ohio buckeye have five to seven leaflets and resemble the fingers on a hand. Every year, the buckeye loses its leaves before most other trees in Ohio. The smooth, shiny, brown and tan nut of the buckeye tree grows in a slightly spiny husk.
What is the color of a sycamore tree?
The trunk of the American sycamore tree has a unique color pattern of green, red and tan; some suggest it resembles camouflage. Its leaves are the largest of any tree in Summit County, measuring more than 8 inches wide. Twigs of the sycamore tree form a zigzag pattern and are orange-brown in color.
What is the bark of an American beech tree?
The bark of the American beech tree is steel gray and very smooth. Its leaves range from 3 to 6 inches long and change from glossy green to a coppery-yellow in the fall. The fruit is made up of a prickly outer husk that splits open in late summer to reveal one or two triangular nuts.
What color are red oak trees?
The bark of the red oak is dark gray with deep grooves and flat ridges that make it appear as though the tree has stripes. Large leaves have seven to 11 pointed lobes and turn a brilliant red in the fall. Acorns are red to light brown and drop from the trees in late summer.
Do sycamore trees like water?
The sycamore tree prefers moist soil, so look for it near water.
