Street Trees Part 2 – Aesculus (Buckeye)

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 Aesculus sp. including Buckeye

 

A flava tree

 

and Common Horsechestnut

 

a hip

 

have gotten a bad rap due to Guignardia aesculi (Guignardia leaf spot on Aesculus)

 

blotch

 

Actually, some are more resistant than others. We hope to highlight some that could be considered potential street trees.

Aesculus x arnoldiana ‘Autumn Splendor’

 

a splendor

 

which is a hybrid including Aesculus glabra, A. flava and A. pavia. Autumn Splendor Buckeye can have a dark red fall color, yellow-red flowers which appears in May

 

a splendor flower

 

and is resistant to scorch.

Aesculus flava which is Yellow Buckeye has yellow flowers in the spring

 

flava flower 1

 

and orange fall color

 

flava fall

 

and will become a very large tree

 

a flava tree

 

and is a perfect replacement for Common Horsechestnut but not along a street. In addition, the fruits

 

flava fruit

Flava seed

 

can put a dent in cars so better suited for a park or large space.

 

Aesculus pavia, Red Buckeye is a smaller tree

 

 

Pavia osu

that produces red flowers in May

 

pavia flower

 

and may develop into brown buckeyes in the fall.

 

pavia seed

 

It prefers moist, well-drained soil.

Although Aesculus x 'Homestead' has limited availability, it might be worth investigating since it shows resistance to Guignardia aesculi (Guignardia leaf spot on Aesculus):

 

A homestead leaf

homestead fall

 

Aesculus hitppocastanum, Common Horsechestnut

 

red horsechestnut

 

is predisposed to show symtoms of Guignardia aesculi (Guignardia leaf spot on Aesculus).

A. x carnea ‘Briotii’,

 

Briottii

 

A. x carnea ‘Fort McNair’

 

Ft Mcnair

 

are less problematic than the straight species A. hippocastanum to Guignardia aesculi (Guignardia leaf spot on Aesculus) but some years can defoliate mid to late summer.

A. hippocastanum ‘Baumannii’, 

 

baum

 

tends to have the cleanest foliage and a double white flower.

Because genetics include Common Horsechestnut, they are is predisposed to symptoms of Guignardia aesculi (Guignardia leaf spot on Aesculus)

 

carnea w blotch

 

Aesculus glabra, Ohio Buckeye is the state tree but needs space to be appropriate for use as a street tree.

 

 A. glabra in bloom

 

In closing, consider Aesculus as a possible choice where soil is moist and well-drained. Add one to your list.