Ohio Buckeye
Aesculus glabra
Family: Hippocastanaceae
Habit: This slow growing tree, rarely reaching heights over 40 feet in Colorado is native from Pennsylvania to Nebraska. Its form is rounded and its large leaves and low branching provide a dense shade. It is a drought-adaptive tree, using less water during drought.
Hardiness: Zone 4 to 7
Leaves: Leaves are large, and opposite palmately compound with 5 leaflets. Each leaflet is 3 to 6 inches long, elliptic-oblong and pointed at the tip.
Buds: Large, long (2/3”) brown and pointed
Twigs: White and sturdy.
Bark: Whitish smooth to platey turning more grayish - brown as tree ages.
Flower: Large yellow inflourescence in May.
Fruit: Large (1”+) brown hard capsule with prickly cover.
Landscape Value: Medium size tree. Eexcellent choice for many landscapes especially xeriscape. Has a beautiful early orange autumn foliage. Often shades out lawn and seeds can be a nuisance.
Insect and Diseases: Minimal insect and disease problems
Source: Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Michael Dirr