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October 2024: Ohio Buckeye

By Greg Doyle, Tyson Gregory, and Amy Steele, with input from ISA Certified Arborists Dave Leonard and Barry Duncil


Ohio Buckeye tree in Lexington, Greg Doyle​​
Ohio Buckeye tree in Lexington, Greg Doyle​​

This co-national champion Ohio Buckeye tree (Aesculus glabra) is located on the

grounds of Catholic Charities of Lexington at 1310 West Main Street. When last measured in 2016, it was recorded to have a height of 86 feet, a crown spread of 57 feet, and a DBH of just over 4.6 ft. This specimen possesses a total score of 274 points which is over double the score of our currently reported state champion. Our co-national champion is truly an outstanding specimen as Ohio Buckeyes average a height of only 20 to 40 feet with an equal canopy spread.

 

Ohio Buckeyes, the state tree of Ohio, are

a member of the Horse Chestnut subfamily (Hippocastanoideae) which stood alone until molecular research determined in 2005 that it should be combined with the Maple family (Aceraceae). Now the two families have been lumped together under the Soapberry family (Sapindaceae), which includes many important ethnobotanical plants across the globe. The Ohio Buckeye has a wide native range extending across most of the midwest from Texas to Pennsylvania with a small extant population existing in SW Ontario on Walpole Island in Lake St. Clair. The natural range of Ohio Buckeye appears to be closely associated with the presence of karst topography suggesting an affinity for calcareous substrates. The species is adaptable but is often found growing on mesic slopes or along streams and creek banks. It is a common species in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky and is found in great abundance in the wooded areas of the region. 

 

Leaves of Ohio Buckeye, Greg Doyle
Leaves of Ohio Buckeye, Greg Doyle

The leaves of Ohio Buckeye are oppositely arranged and palmately compound with 5 leaflets per leaf. Interestingly, it is one of the first species of trees to leaf out during the spring and the red-tinted foliage is very conspicuous

among the understory. In April after the leaves are produced, 4 to 6 inch long panicles of pale yellow flowers appear to entice pollinators. The tube shaped flowers are typically just under an inch long and well loved by long-tongued bees and ruby throated hummingbirds. After pollination a cluster of 2 to 3 prickly capsules will develop on each inflorescence. At maturity the leathery capsules split open to release 1 to 2 round and shiny dark brown nuts with a light tan eyespot around their apex.


Flower of Ohio Buckeye, David Ohmer from Cincinnati, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons​
Flower of Ohio Buckeye, David Ohmer from Cincinnati, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons​

Indigenous peoples that lived in the Ohio region are said to have given this tree the name "buckeye" because the nuts looked like the eye of a buck. Some wildlife like squirrels will eat the seeds but they are extremely poisonous to humans and most livestock. In order to make the buckeye seeds edible, indigenous people would boil the seeds to leach out the poisonous compound aesculin. The wood of the Ohio Buckeye is light and has been used for artificial limbs because it does not split easily. With their early bloom time, Ohio Buckeyes are very well visited by native pollinators. Some sources claim that the pollen and nectar of Ohio Buckeye are poisonous to non-native pollinators such as honeybees (Apis melifera). While the claim might seem outlandish, the floral resources of a few other ​​species of plants are known to induce intoxicating or poisonous effects on nonnative pollinators. In fact, the California Buckeye (Aesculus californica) is well known for its toxic effects on the non-native honeybee. 


Due to their beautiful spring flowers and unusual plate-like bark, Ohio Buckeyes are occasionally planted as an ornamental tree, however, the large fruits pose a significant trip hazard which limits the species use around paved areas. The species also has a tendency for an early leaf drop which is

 Buckeye fruit in opened husk, Brant Jones at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons​
 Buckeye fruit in opened husk, Brant Jones at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons​

exacerbated by droughts and a disease called Guignardia leaf blotch (Guignardia aesculi). This disease does cause long term harm to the tree, but its symptoms can greatly reduce the ornamental appeal of the tree in landscape settings. Because of these factors Ohio Buckeye is an uncommon and unique find in the urban landscape. It shines best in deep moist soils amidst the canopy of other trees where the “messy” traits won’t be as pronounced. 

​​

Champion Tree specs:

  • Circumference: 174 inches

  • DBH: 4.6 feet

  • Height: 86 feet

  • Crown Spread: 57 feet

  • Total Points: 274

  • Year verified: 2016

 

Extra info on specimen:

 

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