Here in Ohio, the buckeye is an important symbol of our state. The buckeye is the official state tree of Ohio. The state’s largest institute of higher education, the Ohio State University, chose the buckeye for its mascot and nickname. “Brutus the Buckeye,” seen on the sidelines at every Ohio State game, is a proud reminder of this heritage. The buckeye has also loaned its name to a mouth-watering chocolate and peanut butter candy: a tray of buckeyes is certain to elevate any party platter.
But, in terms of trees, what a buckeye? Would you even know if you saw one? Might you want one in your front yard? What do you need to know about this iconic Ohio tree?
You may think of Tree Images as southern Ohio’s premier company for tree removal, and you would be correct in that thought. We can, however, also advise and assist with the planting of new trees, and the care and maintenance of those you already have. We can advise you, for example, on whether or not a buckeye would be a great addition to your Cincinnati area backyard.
Buckeye Basics
The buckeye tree is named for its nuts. Those nuts, which are toxic and not to be eaten, resemble the deep brown eyes of a male deer. Hence the “buck eye” nuts, and thus, the “buckeye” tree. (Though, to be fair, they’re equally evocative of doe eyes.)
Buckeye trees produce yellowish-green spring flowers, and bright orange leaves in the fall. A buckeye tree can grow to more than 50 feet tall, so it is best suited for large yards, and shouldn’t be planted too close to buildings, roadways, or power lines. The tree is native to Ohio, so it is well suited to the state’s climate, and won’t cause the sort of trouble you might get with an invasive species. It thrives in moist (not wet, but moist) soil, so it often flourishes growing near a river or a stream.
The buckeye often grows as a so-called “understory” tree, meaning that it prefers to grow in the partial shade of a larger tree. This tree does well in partial shadow of older and bigger trees – this is how you would typically find it growing and thriving wild in the forest, for example.
Since the buckeye’s leaves are so dense, it tends to block sunlight to the ground beneath it, making it difficult to grow grass (or anything else) under it. Always keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to plant a buckeye in your yard.
What’s That Smell?
The buckeye has a few nicknames, such as “stinking buckeye” and “fetid buckeye.” (Both extremely charming nicknames.) The reason? Its leaves smell bad when they are crushed. (That never gets mentioned in the OSU literature for some reason … though maybe it should be? “Crush us and we’ll give you a horrible stench” is kind of a convincing threat, actually.) This smell should not be a discouragement to adding one to your backyard, however, as during most times you will not be crushing the buckeye’s leaves.
Whether a buckeye sounds like a great, classically Ohioan addition to your yard, you’d just like to know more about your state tree, or you want to know more about how to care for and maintain the trees you already have in your yard, we’re here to answer your buckeye questions (as well as any questions you have about any of your other trees). We’re your local tree care company, and we’re here to help you care for your buckeyes throughout the seasons and the years.
