As published, The Columbus Dispatch, Sun 15 Oct 2000, page J13.

Every fall, gardeners catch buckeye fever

The tree has problems but alternatives exist

By Jane C. Martin, OSU Extension

Gardeners seem to become more interested in the Ohio buckeye tree in the fall.

Buckeyes and horse chestnuts are in the Aesculus genus. Ohio buckeyes are native to Ohio and usually are found in lowland areas along rivers and streams. This buckeye typically grows to 20 to 40 feet in height with a similar spread, although trees can reach as much as 80 feet in height.

But the Ohio buckeye is best left in its natural setting or used on large residential properties. It is somewhat messy and has limited ornamental value except the early spring flowering period.

In fact, this tree tends to develop leaf scorch in hot, dry seasons and tends to drop foliage in late summer or early fall, earlier than other trees.

In addition, the tree is subject to numerous disease and insect pests that limit its ornamental value.

The flowers appear in mid-May, and are greenish-yellow to creamy white, and occur in terminal panicles on the plant.

Fall color ranges from yellow to orange-red to reddish-brown. Of course, the tree produces the famous buckeye seed, of importance in few places other than in Ohio.

A problem we have seen on buckeyes in recent years is a foliar disease caused by the fungus Guignardia, which causes brown blotches in late summer and early leaf drop. Most trees do fine despite the problems because the fungus appears after the tree has produced annual growth. This disease requires no control.

People often collect buckeye seeds to plant.

Buckeyes should be collected and sown immediately because the seeds degenerate quickly after they ripen. Plant the seed 2 to 2½ inches deep. If you can't sow buckeye seeds in the fall, they can be stored at 34 to 38 degrees under high humidity for up to 12 months.

Although the Ohio buckeye may not be the most suitable or ornamental tree for residential use, other trees in the Aesculus genus are.

Bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) is a great plant that grows to 8 to 12 feet in height with a similar spread. Although not a tree, this wide-spreading shrub has multiple stems and upright, slender branches. It has excellent form and texture. Flowers are outstanding on 12-inch long panicles, and appear in June or July. This plant can be used as a specimen, or massed in the shrub border. It is shade tolerant and has no significant pest problems.

Another Aesculus to consider is Red Horse Chestnut (people also call it red buckeye), Aesculus carnea. It produces rosy-red flowers in May. It grows to 30 to 40 feet in height and has a rounded form. Briotii is a cultivar with deeper red flowers and panicles up to 10 inches long.

Jane C. Martin is the horticulturist for Ohio State University Extension-Franklin County. Prevoius articles are on the Internet at www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/wgn.html