Description

Aesculus – Buckeye – Horse Chestnut

There’s about 20 species of deciduous shrubs and tall trees in this genus.  More then half are native to North America some found from Asia to southeast Europe.  General found in deep soil in a sheltered valleys, They have large compound leafs comprised of 5-11 leaflets that are mid green to dark green.  In spring or summer showy upright panicles of cream to reddish 4-5 petaled flowers ½-1 ¼” wide flowers bloom at branch tips in a conical shape.  Inedible fruits contained in big seed capsules that vary form smooth to spiny which the common name Horse Chestnut derives form.  All parts if indigested may upset stomach. Performs best in cool temperature climates, in deep fertile and moisture retentive soil, most are frost hardy.  Plant in full sun or partial shade.  Well suited for parks or open gardens. Prone to canker, coral spot, leaf blotch, Japanese beetles, scale insects, Anthracnose, rust, and powdery mildew. Aesculus flava – Aesculus octandra – Sweet Buckeye – Yellow buckeye – This native to central and eastern America grows 50-80’ feet tall and 30-50’ feet wide but in the wild it can grow 90’ feet tall.  Broadly oval to conical shape tree.  It bears 5-7 palmate glossy dark green leaves with egg shape or rounded leaflets 3” long or more with prominent downy veins. The leaves turn yellow and orange shades in autumn.  The dark brown trunk becomes wrinkled as it ages.  Erect 7” panicles of yellow flowers are born in summer followed by smooth skinned fruit. Zones 4-9