Aesculus glabra

Name: Aesculus glabra

Common Name: Ohio buckeye

Description: There’s a lot to like about the Ohio buckeye from its interesting fruit to its bright orange fall foliage. Branches bend toward the ground then arch back up, creating a rounded outline. Dense, attractive, deciduous foliage is palmately compound. Showy, erect light yellow blossom clusters are held at the ends of the twigs. The tree’s fruit is a nut encased in a spiny, splitting husk. It is one of the first trees to leaf out in the spring and lose its foliage in fall. It grows up to 60 feet high with up to a 40- foot spread.

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 3-7.

Propagation: By seed. Sow seeds in fall. Moist stratify seed for 120 days at 41°F.

Culture: Grows best in full sun. Plant in moist, well-drained acidic soil.

Landscape use: This tree needs a lot of room, especially for its broad crown. It’s a good choice for a park tree.

Photos by Mark Dwyer, www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org