Ohio Buckeye
Aesculus glabra
Last reviewed: July 2026
Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra) is a native deciduous tree found across the eastern and central United States, blooming with yellow flowers in May and June to attract bees and butterflies.
Ohio Buckeye is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Ohio Buckeye is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a severe level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
360"–720" H × 240"–480" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, GA, IA and 20 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Browse plants for this ecoregion
A medium-sized native tree with distinctive palmate leaves and showy clusters of yellow-green flowers in spring. It produces large, glossy brown nuts in fall and has reliable yellow fall color, though it may drop leaves early during dry summers.
Growing Ohio Buckeye
Grow Ohio Buckeye in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 360 to 720 inches tall and spread 240 to 480 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Ohio Buckeye is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, mid zone.
- Large nuts may be considered messy when they drop
- Requires adequate space for mature size
Wildlife value
Host plant for luna moth, tiger swallowtail butterfly.
The spring flowers attract bees and butterflies for nectar. The nuts provide food for squirrels and other wildlife, though they are toxic to humans and livestock.
Common questions
- Where does Ohio Buckeye naturally grow?
- Ohio Buckeye is native to much of the eastern and central United States, including states from Alabama north to Minnesota and from Texas east to Pennsylvania and Georgia.
- When does Ohio Buckeye bloom?
- Ohio Buckeye produces its distinctive yellow flower clusters in May and June, making it an important early season nectar source for pollinators.
- What pollinators visit Ohio Buckeye?
- The flowers attract various bees and butterflies, which are drawn to the nectar-rich blooms during the late spring flowering period.
- What growing conditions does Ohio Buckeye prefer?
- This adaptable tree tolerates a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade and can grow in various moisture levels, though it performs best with consistent medium moisture.
- Is Ohio Buckeye toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Ohio Buckeye is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Ohio Buckeye toxic to cats?
- Yes. Ohio Buckeye is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Ohio Buckeye toxic to livestock?
- Ohio Buckeye is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (severe severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
- Is Ohio Buckeye HOA-friendly?
- Ohio Buckeye is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Ohio Buckeye and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.
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