Ohio buckeye

Closely related to the horse chestnut, the Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra) is a beautiful, slow growing tree with gorgeous, palmately compound leaves that are quite unlike anything else. Some years the leaves will turn orangey or gold in the fall, but not always. Pretty clusters of cream to soft yellow flowers in the spring are followed by clusters of very prickly, shiny nuts that are much loved by squirrels.

Although they are slow, Ohio buckeyes can eventually reach a height of 40 ft. or more and they cast a beautiful, heavy shade. The wood is heavy and solid, not easily damaged by wind or storms, and they are naturally shapely and attractive. Buckeyes will do best with cool, moist soil but are extremely drought tolerant once established and do not have any pest or disease issues. They also have a deep tap root that can make transplanting difficult, but once established they are low maintenance.