Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Aesculus flava

Yellow Buckeye

Sapindaceae

Eastern United States (Appalachian region)

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height50-75 feet (15-23 m)
Width30-50 feet (9-15 m)
Maturity20 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Hummingbirds
Deer Resistant
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

Aesculus flava is an upright deciduous tree reaching 50–75 feet (15–23 m) tall with a rounded crown 30–50 feet (9–15 m) wide. Trunks develop smooth, gray bark when young, becoming platy and exfoliating in irregular patches on mature specimens. Leaves are palmately compound with 5 leaflets, each 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) long, elliptic, finely serrated, and dark green. Foliage turns orange to pumpkin-yellow in fall, typically coloring in October in zones 5–6. Erect flower panicles 5–7 inches (13–18 cm) long appear in April–May, composed of yellow to yellow-green tubular flowers. Fruit capsules are smooth (lacking spines), round, 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) in diameter, containing 1–3 glossy brown seeds. Growth rate is moderate, adding 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) annually; trees reach 30 feet (9 m) in approximately 15 years. This species is among the tallest in the genus Aesculus, reaching 90 feet (27 m) in favorable Appalachian habitats. Leaf scorch develops in dry, exposed sites, particularly in zones 7–8, with margins browning by late July. All parts contain aesculin and saponins and are toxic if ingested. Crushed leaves and bark emit a strong, unpleasant odor.

Native Range

Native to the Appalachian region of the eastern United States, from southwestern Pennsylvania south through West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and into northern Georgia and Alabama. Found in rich, moist cove forests and along stream banks at 1,000–5,000 feet (300–1,500 m) elevation.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a shade tree in parks, large residential properties, and naturalized areas at 30–40 foot (9–12 m) spacing. Canopy size requires open sites with adequate root space. Not suited to dry, exposed sites, compacted urban soils, or narrow planting strips.

How to Identify

Distinguished from A. glabra by larger overall size, yellow (rather than greenish-yellow) flowers, smooth (spineless) fruit capsules, and absence of the strong unpleasant odor when leaves are crushed lightly. Leaflets 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) long with finely serrated margins. Bark on mature trunks develops large, platy scales that exfoliate in patches, unlike the rough, fissured bark of A. hippocastanum.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height50' - 75'
Width/Spread30' - 50'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow
green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

orange
yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Flowers April through May in zones 4–8. Individual panicles last approximately 2 weeks; total bloom period extends about 3 weeks. Bloom overlaps with A. glabra in areas where both species are present. In zone 8, bloom may begin in late March.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow to yellow-green

Foliage Description

Dark green palmately compound leaves with 5 leaflets, turning orange to pumpkin-yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water deeply every 1–2 weeks during the first 3 growing seasons. Established trees perform in consistently moist soils and decline on dry, exposed sites. Leaf scorch develops during prolonged drought, with leaf margins browning by mid to late summer, particularly in zones 7–8. Japanese beetles feed on foliage in June–July in eastern populations. Leaf blotch (Guignardia aesculi) causes brown patches on foliage from midsummer onward in humid climates. No regular fertilization is needed for established specimens. Trees are intolerant of compacted soils and paved root zones.

Pruning

Prune during winter dormancy (November–February) to remove dead, crossing, or structurally weak branches. Develop a central leader in the first 10–15 years. Mature trees require minimal pruning beyond dead wood removal. Water sprouts along the trunk and major limbs can be removed during dormancy.

Pruning Schedule

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winter

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans