Aesculus flava

Common Names

Yellow Buckeye, Sweet Buckeye, Common Buckeye, Big Buckeye

Summary

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) is a North American native deciduous tree that typically grows 60–75 feet tall with a 30–50 foot spread, forming an upright oval crown. It occurs in eastern North America, especially in rich coves and along streams, and features palmately compound leaves with five leaflets and large panicles of yellow flowers in late spring; autumn foliage turns yellow to orange. The fruit is a smooth, pear-shaped capsule containing one to three seeds, and the bark is gray-brown with large flat plates on mature trunks. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained, fertile soils, tolerating a range of soils from acidic to alkaline and a climate in USDA hardiness zones 4–8. Best suited to large landscapes, parks, or streamsides where space and litter are less problematic; propagation is by seed or grafting, with pruning for a strong structure. Nectar from flowers attracts pollinators and the nuts provide wildlife value, though fruit litter can be a consideration in urban plantings; pests such as buckeye lacebugs and Japanese beetles may occur, while disease pressure is generally lower than that of Ohio buckeye.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

50-75 feet

Spread

30-50 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.0-7.5, Acidic to circumneutral soil, Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring (late April–mid-June)

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow to yellow-orange

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees