Buckeyes in Ohio
The Ohio buckeye became our state tree in 1953. Like the state itself, the tree has interesting parts all around.
Its leaves are shaped like the palm of your hand, with five leaflets arranged on each stem. The flowers that bloom in late spring are some of the most gorgeous of all deciduous trees, opening in spikes of yellowish-green. The spiked fruits can be handled carefully to expose the seed in the center. It is said that Native Americans gave the tree its namesake because the seeds resemble the eyes of the animal they often hunted in the forest: the male white-tailed deer, or buck.
The buckeye namesake has become iconic in our culture, especially in the state of Ohio. Naturalist Meghan Doran: “When someone says ‘buckeye,’ I immediately think of my alma mater, The Ohio State University. Next, I fondly remember walking with my grandmother in her neighborhood, collecting the nuts as a child. I thought they felt good in my hand as I held them, hoping for good luck. And last, but definitely not least of all, I think of our state tree, the Ohio buckeye.”
Although the tree doesn’t hold special value for lumber, it is still of great importance for aesthetics and landscaping. Since it is a native tree, wildlife depends on buckeyes and their relatives for food, habitat and reproduction. For example, you can always count on the return of ruby-throated hummingbirds soon after the buckeye blooms. They view the nectar as a delicacy after a long flight, Doran said.
Other varieties of buckeye trees, such as the red or yellow, make great cultivars for your back yard. Their flowers are just as beautiful as the Ohio buckeye, plus they attract a plethora of pollinators that take advantage of the nectar.
Doran suggests the buckeye as a smart addition to your landscape.
“The bottlebrush buckeye, a native shrub, will make a great addition to your garden, especially if you enjoy butterflies and hummingbirds. The shrub can be planted in a mound or colony, and will put on a showy display during early summer.”
You can find Ohio buckeyes at Deep Lock Quarry Metro Park and the yellow or bottlebrush variety at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm.
