Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Aesculus flava Ait.
Sweet buckeye, Yellow buckeye
Hippocastanaceae (Horse-Chestnut Family)
Yellow buckeye or sweet buckeye is an irregular to upright-oval, canopy
tree, 50-75 ft. tall, with stout, picturesque branches which commonly sweep the ground. The
bark sometimes is exfoliating. Creamy yellow, upright flowers panicles appear in late spring. Palmately-compound,
deciduous leaves turn orange to red in the fall. Nuts are encased in a 2-3 in., tan husk.
The largest of the buckeyes, it is abundant in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Native Americans made a nutritious food from the seeds, after removing the toxic element by roasting and soaking them.
Image Gallery:
1 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Tree Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit: Size Class: 72-100 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , GA , IL , IN , KY , MD , MS , NJ , NC , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , WV , DC
Native Distribution: S.w. PA & w. along Ohio R., s. to extreme w. SC & n. AL
Native Habitat: Rich woods from river bottoms to mt. tops
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Rich, moist, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Sweet buckeye is not as troubled by foliar diseases as A. glabra, but needs protection from wind which causes leaf scorch. This
tree must be planted in moist, rich, well-drained soil.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Squirrels eat the nuts.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Last Update: 2007-12-23
