Aesculus glabra Ohio Buckeye, Fetid Buckeye PFAF Plant Database (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat buckeyes from a buckeye tree? ›

Poisonous Plant: All parts of the plant (leaves, bark, fruit) are highly toxic if ingested – because of the glycoside aesculin, the saponin aescin, and possibly alkaloids. Symptoms are muscle weakness and paralysis, dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, paralysis, and stupor.

The Buckeye's Place in History

As well as the belief in the good fortune of its storied seed, the buckeye has been held to cure rheumatism and other, more minor ailments. Pioneering farm families also made soap from the kernels of buckeye seeds, and many a child's cradle was carved from the wood of this tree.

Ohio buckeye prefers moist, well-drained soils of variable pH that are rich and deep, in partially sunny to partially shaded conditions. It adapts to average soils that are occasionally dry, but moderate to heavy leaf scorch will develop by mid-summer, especially when sited in full sun.

Located near the Friendship United Methodist Church, 582 Ed Warren Drive in Friendship this majestic Yellow Buckeye Tree is one hundred feet tall and has a circumference of 160 inches. The tree is an exceptional example of the tree from which Ohio got its nickname the "Buckeye" state.

Any part of the plant, if ingested, is poisonous but just touching it is not harmful. Farmers have been known to remove the buckeye tree from fields where cattle graze to prevent the animals from eating any part of the tree.

Section 901.51 | Injuring vines, bushes, trees, or crops on land of another. No person, without privilege to do so, shall recklessly cut down, destroy, girdle, or otherwise injure a vine, bush, shrub, sapling, tree, or crop standing or growing on the land of another or upon public land.

Deer and other mammals tend to stay away from Ohio Buckeye because of its poisonous leaves and bark, and well, they stink. The Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus) a Threatened species in Wisconsin will use Ohio Buckeye as a summer roost tree.

You can plant buckeyes in full sun, but since they are adapted to live in forest understory, Smith recommends giving them partial shade. Be aware that buckeyes can reach 40 to 60 feet in height, though, so you won't want them in your flowerbed.

Although a mature Ohio buckeye tree is are often found in full sun locations, it grows best in partial to full shade. It's growth rate is moderate averaging 1-1.5' per year. In 3-5 years, a 3 year seedling will grow to about 10'.

Ohio buckeye trees should be watered twice per week for optimal health. Deep watering encourages robust root development for Ohio buckeye trees. Using mulch helps retain soil moisture and reduces watering frequency for Ohio buckeye.

What eats Ohio buckeye? ›

Although buckeye nuts are toxic to all other animals (including humans), squirrels are the only animal capable of eating them without getting sick!

Squirrels love the nut, burying it widely and volunteer saplings are typically common in lawn edges, gardens and woodline edges near a parent tree. Considered by some as a "messy" tree due to the copious amounts of fallen nuts and husks, the tree itself is rather beautiful when in full flower.

The buckeye should also have moist but well-drained soil with lots of organic material to support its long, deep roots – mulch can help achieve this. A thick layer of mulch helps conserve moisture and protect the roots from temperature extremes.

European horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) trees, which grow to 50 to 75 feet tall, are often confused with buckeye trees. However, European horsechestnut trees usually have seven leaflets arranged palmately. White-petaled flowers with a red blotch at the base are borne on panicles up to 12 inches long.

Removing the shell and roasting the nut neutralizes its harmful tannic acid content and makes for a protein-packed snack. If not prepared properly though, buckeye nuts are toxic to humans, causing symptoms including weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, paralysis, and death.

Buckeyes taste like peanut butter cups with an emphasis on the peanut butter! Not too sweet, really creamy, and so satisfying.

Edible Uses: Seed - cooked. Said to be as sweet as a chestnut[105, 177]. We have only eaten the immature seed, harvested in late August, but these were very tasty with no noticeable bitterness[K].

A buckeye does its best work if it's inside your pocket. If you carry a buckeye in your pocket, it'll bring you good luck.