Ohio Buckeye

General
Scientific Name: Aesculus glabra
Family: Sapindaceae (Soapberry)
Hardiness: Zone 3
Leaves: Deciduous
Plant Type: Tree
Growth
Rate: Medium
Mature Height: 25-45’
Longevity: Medium
Power Line: No
Ornamental
Flowers: Yellow
Fruit: Brown spiny husks enclosing large, shiny seeds
Fall Color: Maroon to orange to red to yellow

A medium-sized tree with an oval to rounded crown. Unique characteristics include palmate compound leaves, terminal candlelike flowers and large globose fruits. The species is somewhat susceptible to leaf scorch in the summer, though cultivars have usually don’t suffer this problem. Can withstand high-pH soils. The largest buckeye in North Dakota is 49 feet tall with a canopy spread of 38 feet.

Light: Full sun to light shade.
Water: Prefers moist, well drained soils.
Soil: Adaptable to a wide variety of soils except extremely dry.

Flowers start white with a blotch on yellow at the base and transition to red up the flower stem. Buckeye cultivars, including hybrids, that do well in North Dakota include:

‘Autumn Splendor’ - University of Minnesota release. Maroon.

‘Homestead’ - Released by SDSU, Brookings, SD. Orange.

Prairie Torch® - NDSU release with orange-red fall color.

Early Glow™ - Selected for its early, bright-red fall foliage.

Credits: North Dakota Tree Selector Website, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants 6th edition.