Aesculus glabra (Ohio Buckeye)

Aesculus glabra (Ohio Buckeye) is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree of rounded habit with a dense canopy of dark green leaves adorned with 5-7 leaflets. Its low, sweeping branches bend toward the ground and then arch back up, creating a rounded outline. In mid to late spring, greenish-yellow flowers are borne in 4-7 in. panicles (10-17 cm) but are often almost lost among the leaves. They are quite attractive to bees and hummingbirds. The flowers give way to prickly, dehiscent capsules that contain the shiny, rich brown seeds known as buckeyes. The foliage is usually golden-yellow in the fall, but it may change to pumpkin-orange as it is variable from tree to tree. Twigs and leaves often have a slightly unpleasant odor when crushed. A beautiful landscape tree for parks and large lawns. It may be planted as a shade tree. Ohio is known as the Buckeye State and has adopted the buckeye as its State Tree.

• Grows up to 20-40 ft. tall and wide (6-12 m).
• Thrives in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. Prefers moist, fertile soils.
• Keep an eye out for canker, coral spot, leaf spot, and horse chestnut scale.
• Propagate by seed or grafting
• Ingestion may cause severe discomfort.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• Native to the southern United States.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.