Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) is a striking native tree species from the eastern United States, belonging to the Sapindaceae family. This woody plant thrives in forests and floodplains, favoring acidic soils. Known for its vibrant yellow flowers, the Yellow Buckeye is a popular choice as an ornamental tree, adding charm and elegance to gardens and landscapes. Adaptable to hardiness zones 3 through 8, it is well-suited for a variety of climates and is valued for its beauty and resilience.
| Common name | Big Buckeye, Sweet Buckeye, Yellow Buckeye |
| Botanical name | Aesculus flava |
| Family | Sapindaceae |
| Species | flava |
| Origin | Eastern USA |
| Life cycle | Woody |
| Plant type | Native Plant |
| Hardiness zone | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Maintenance | Medium |
| Soil condition | High Organic Matter |
| Soil ph | Acid |
| Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Spacing | 24 – 60 ft. |
| Harvest time | Fall |
| Flowering period | Spring |
| Height | 4- 60 ft. |
| Flower color | Cream, Tan |
| Leaf color | Green |
| Fruit color | Brown, Copper |
| Stem color | Brown, Copper |
| Fruit type | Capsule |
| Leaf benefit | Showy |
| Flower benefit | Showy |
| Garden style | Native Garden |
| Uses | Naturalized Area |
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Aesculus flava, also known commonly as the common buckeye, the sweet buckeye, and the yellow buckeye, is a species of deciduous tree in the subfamily Hippocastanoideae of the family Sapindaceae. The species is native to the Ohio Valley and Appalachian Mountains of the Eastern United States.
The common name for the Aesculus flava is sweet buckeye and yellow buckeye, in the family Sapindaceae. It is cultivated as an ornamental tree. Genus name is the latin name for a kind of oak bearing edible acorns but applied by Linnaeus to this genus. Aesculus was the Latin name that is given to an oak or any tree that has seeds that are eaten by livestock, flava is from the Latin word flaven’s (yellow) which refers to the buckeyes yellow flowers. The species was once called Aesculus octandra and is still sometimes sold under that name in the nursery trade.
The yellow buckeye or also known as the sweet buckeye is an irregular to upright-oval, canopy tree, it can reach heights of 50-75 feet tall with stout picturesque branches that tend to sweep the ground. leaves are palmately compound with five (rarely seven) leaflets, 10–25 cm (3.9–9.8 in) long and broad. Palmately-compound, deciduous leaves usually turn orange to red in the fall. The flowers are produced in panicles in spring, yellow to yellow-green, each flower 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) long with the stamens shorter than the petals (unlike the related A. glabra, Ohio buckeye, in which the stamens are longer than the petals).
The flowers are followed by development of buckeye fruit, which consists of 1-2 buckeyes in a leathery light brown partitioned husk. The wood is soft, weak and does not resist decay, it also produces a bad odor when green but the seasoned wood is odorless, white and lightweight. The twigs have a faintly rank odor, but much less so than the Ohio buckeye, A. glabra. The fruit is a smooth (spineless), round or oblong capsule 5–7 cm (2.0–2.8 in) in diameter, containing 1-3 nut-like seeds, 2.5–3.5 cm (0.98–1.38 in) in diameter, brown with a whitish basal scar.
The trunk can be dark gray to brown when young, furrowed and ridged when middle aged, when mature it becomes scaly and platy. The buckeye fruit resembles the eye of a deer, which is how it got its name buckeye. The fruit is poisonous to humans but can be made edible through a leaching process.
The seed is very rich in saponins which are poisonous and are poorly absorbed in the human body, but can pass through without harm. Eating large portions of food that contain saponins is not a good idea, poisoning is rare but abdominal pain is possible. A paste is made from the seeds which is used in bookbinding to deter insect damage.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Yellow Buckeye requires sunlight to grow. It can grow in partial shade to full sun. A position facing the sun is the most preferred, especially in the seedling stage, when sufficient sunlight is essential. In the shade, these plants are usually thin and prone to disease.
In hot summers, be wary of direct sunlight burning the plants. To avoid sunburn, put up shade nets for young trees. Large trees can be protected by painting their trunks white in late fall or early summer, or by covering the base of the trunk with organic mulch.
Temperature
Yellow Buckeye prefers a moist growing environment with a temperature of 12 to 25 ℃. It can tolerate a low temperature of -40 ℃. Above 30 ℃, growth slows, and its leaves and trunk are sensitive to damage from high heat.
Watering
Originating from the deciduous forests of Eastern North America, yellow Buckeye thrives in moist, well-drained soils, mirroring its preference for consistent moisture akin to its native habitat. This species exhibits a moderate drought tolerance but favors a stable humidity level. Care should be taken to water yellow Buckeye once every two weeks, aligning with its natural watering cadence. Typically grown outdoors due to its size and growth habit, yellow Buckeye is an impressive deciduous tree that requires ample space and benefits significantly from rainwater during its active growing season.
Soil
Yellow Buckeye roots are deep and extensive, so its planting location requires a deep soil layer. It grows well in fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5-7) sandy soil. Although it can also grow in light saline soil, its growth won’t be as good.
Fertilizing
For healthy growth and vigorous blooming, yellow Buckeye thrives with balanced nutrition fertilizers, like a 10-10-10 mix, applied annually each spring. During its growth stage, higher nitrogen fertilizers can bolster leaf production—important for young trees. Typically, a moderate application suffices, avoiding over-fertilization which can harm yellow Buckeye. When applying, distribute evenly around the tree’s drip line to ensure nutrient absorption.
Seasonal variations influence yellow Buckeye’s needs; diminish fertilization as dormancy approaches. Ensure proper watering post-fertilization to aid nutrient uptake. Always follow product-specific guidelines for the safety and optimal health of yellow Buckeye.
Pruning
Usually yellow Buckeye trees do not need pruning, because its natural crown is round and it is better to keep the original crown shape. Light pruning can be carried out after the fall of leaves: over-long branches can be shortened, over-dense branches can be thinned, and diseased or dry branches can be completely removed. This avoids the consumption of excess nutrients, allows more light to reach the plant’s interior, is conducive to its healthy growth, promotes the air circulation inside the plant, and effectively reduces disease.
Transplanting
Ideally, yellow Buckeye should be transplanted during the ‘S1-S2’ season, or in layman terms, fall to early spring, allowing the plant to establish roots before vigorous spring growth. For conditions, choose a well-drained location with partial to full sunlight. When transplanting, remember to handle roots with care for better settling.
Pests and Diseases
Pests of this plant include the buckeye lacebug, Japanese beetles, bagworms, and borers, these are rare but can be troublesome. Other issues include leaf scorch, leaf spot, leaf blotch, and powdery mildew as other buckeyes but is not nearly as susceptible. Leaf scorch can occur in dry conditions or sites that are exposed to wind. Disease problems tend to be not as troublesome. The yellow buckeye is not as prone to unsightly foliage diseases, pest damage or early defoliation as the other Buckeyes and Horsechestnuts.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Aesculus flava is cultivated as an ornamental tree. The tree’s showy yellow flowers and good autumn color are attractive in larger gardens and in parks. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
It has been marked as a pollinator plant that attracts hummingbirds and bees.
- Native American uses
The largest of the buckeyes, the Native Americans historically made food from the seeds, after the removal of the toxic element by roasting and soaking. The seed contains saponins and needs to be leached of toxins before it can be eaten, the North American Indians would do so by slow-roasting the nuts, cutting them into thin slices, and putting them in a cloth bag to be rinsed in the stream for 2-3 days. The seed can be 45 mm in diameter and is said to be bitter, but when cooked, is said to be as sweet as a chestnut.
- Other uses
The saponins in the seed can be used as a soap substitute. Saponins can be obtained by chopping them up into small pieces and immersing them into hot water, it can be used to wash the body or clothes. Out of all the American hardwoods its wood is the softest and makes poor lumber, but can be used for pulpwood and woodenware. It can be used to make artificial limbs, wooden ware, pulp and can be sawn into lumber.
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