Ohio Buckeye Aesculus glabra

Ohio buckeye is a medium-sized hardwood native to the Midwest. Its native range extends from western Pennsylvania to Iowa and Missouri, and in the south from Alabama through Arkansas. Its common name derives from the fruit found inside the prickly husk, which bears a strong resemblance to eye of a deer. The husk of the yellow buckeye, Aesculus flava, does not have spiny protrusions, and hence this is one way to differentiate between the two species. Despite its innocent appearance, the fruit is poisonous when raw and should not be consumed. The tannic acid found in the fruit and foliage is used in making leather.

Ohio buckeye leaves are opposite, have long stalks, and are palmately compound, with leaflets three to six inches long. The leaflets are widest in the middle, taper to a point, and result in abundant shade. While some consider the large compound leaves to be messy and don’t recommend buckeyes as parkway trees, others find the leaves distinctive and attractive. Notably, buckeyes are some of the first trees to leaf out in the spring and the first to lose their leaves each fall. Ohio buckeyes typically reach about 50 to 60 feet in height, and have a maximum crown width of about 40 feet.

The tree’s twigs have an unpleasant aroma when crushed and lend the species another nickname of fetid buckeye. The fragrant yellow flowers of Aesculus glabra are born upright in clusters up to 12 inches in length. They are in bloom now, so be on the lookout for them in parks and in your neighborhood.

For more information on this species, please contact [email protected].

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