Why Plant Ohio Buckeye?
You know spring has arrived by an Ohio Buckeye’s unfurling deep green leaves, as one of the first trees to “wake up” from winter and stretch its branches with new growth. As it’s reprising its role as a lush shade tree, clusters of panicle flowers begin to bloom in May into summer. Soft-yellow flowers complimented by the forest green foliage give the rounded canopy of this Buckeye a photogenic moment and the perfect place for a scenic summer picnic. Receiving its name from the nut-like seed resembling those delicious chocolate buckeye sweets! Though unfortunately, people can’t enjoy these buckeye nuts, but you certainly can enjoy a bag full of chocolates under the enormous canopy of bright red leaves catching the cool breeze in fall - while eating sweets! Now that sounds like the perfect afternoon! You may just need to plant a few Ohio Buckeye Trees for seasons of beauty and an excuse to enjoy more chocolate buckeye treats!
Ohioans love their Buckeye Trees, and this charming native grows most abundantly there, in the Ohio River Valley. Its natural range extends from Pennsylvania to Nebraska and south to Alabama and Kansas. People who hike those woods know Ohio Buckeye like an old friend and look forward to its reappearance each year. The showy leaves are the first of our native trees to emerge in the spring, and they do so with gusto—bursting from plump, shiny buds like flowers. The true flowers show up a few weeks later.
How to use Ohio Buckeye in the landscape?
Buckeyes get their name from the notion that the smooth tan and brown seeds look like the eyes of a deer. The seeds are toxic and they were used in the past by Native Americans to catch fish. When crushed and thrown into the water, the seeds would release their poisons, stunning the fish for easy harvest. Because of the toxicity of the seeds (as well as of the leaves and twigs), Ohio Buckeye should not be planted where livestock will graze or pets will nibble.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-7
How To Plant Ohio Buckeye
Ohio Buckeye, preferring cool, semi-shady sites with deep, moist soil in the wild, appreciates similar conditions in the landscape. Full sun is acceptable as long as the soil doesn’t get too dry. Dry soil will hasten a common Buckeye disease called leaf scorch and lead to premature leaf-drop, though even under the best of circumstances, this can occur and is no cause for alarm.
How To Water
When newly planted, water your Ohio Buckeye consistently at least once a week for the first growing season. As your tree becomes established, the watering needs will lessen.
How To Fertilize
When planting your new Ohio Buckeye tree, apply our Elements Starter Plant Food to be sure your tree receives the nutrients it needs! Fertilize the Ohio Buckeye in its second year in fall. Once roots have established, fertilizing can be done once every six months.
How To Prune
Buckeyes typically do not need pruning, but it needs a quick trim, the best time to do so is in late winter. Its natural crown and shape is rounded and recommended to keep that shape.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
