Ohio Buckeye
Aesculus glabra
Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 20–40 ft tall and 20–40 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Some chlorosis; prone to leaf scorch in hot dry sites.
medium water20–40 ft tall and 20–40 ft wideDeer-resistantToxic to dogs
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: no rights reserved
- Photo 4: (c) Brian Finzel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Brian Finzel
- Photo 5: (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–7
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- low
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 20–40 ft tall and 20–40 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~40 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Medium
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring
- Bloom color
- yellow, green
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- Watch: Short LivedFast but not forever; this one runs short lived here, so enjoy it and plan a successor rather than treating it as a legacy tree.
- Watch: SuckersIt throws up shoots from the roots and base, so plan on cutting suckers to keep it from turning into a thicket.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Ohio Buckeye good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Ohio Buckeye is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Ohio Buckeye get?
- It matures to about 20–40 ft tall and 20–40 ft wide.
- How much room does Ohio Buckeye need?
- Give Ohio Buckeye about 40 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Ohio Buckeye grow into?
- Ohio Buckeye typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Ohio Buckeye hardy on the Front Range?
- Ohio Buckeye is hardy in USDA 3–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Ohio Buckeye need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Ohio Buckeye grow?
- Ohio Buckeye is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Ohio Buckeye live?
- Ohio Buckeye has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Ohio Buckeye safe for dogs?
- No. Ohio Buckeye is considered toxic to dogs. Keep pets away and check with your vet.
- Is Ohio Buckeye deer-resistant?
- Ohio Buckeye is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
