The Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra) is the state tree of Ohio. It is a native tree to the midwestern and plain states. The tree can reach 60 feet tall and 30 feet wide in an open area, but is about 1/2 that size when growing in an understory or shaded location.
The Ohio buckeye prefers a moist but well drained site. It can adapt to drier sites, but will often exhibit some leaf scorch when conditions are too dry. It is also susceptible to a leaf blotch and powdery mildew when conditions are right.
The leaves are arranged opposite of each other and are palmately compound. Each leaf has five leaflets.
The flowers are yellow-green in color. The tree flowers as the leaves are also emerging in the spring. The stamens extend beyond the petals. The flowers are frequented by a variety of bees. The activity earlier today when I captured the photos at Toledo Botanical Garden was a buzz!
For more information about the Ohio buckeye, check out the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry website at http://forestry.ohiodnr.gov
