Buckeye, Red

The Red Buckeye, native to the southeastern U.S. grows to heights normally between 10 and 20 feet with crown spreads having the same range. The tree can grow in sun or shade with wet or moist loam soil. Webworms and leaf spots are both problems known to be associated with the tree, although they are not very common.

The LEAVES are opposite, palmately compound, have 5 to 7 short, stalked, oblong shaped leaflets that are 3-6” long. The leaves are dark green with no change of color in the fall and the tree loses its leaves in early fall.

In the spring, showy red FLOWERS bloom and attract hummingbirds. The 1 1/2” wide flowers are 3 to 6” long, terminal panicles. After the flowers blooms, flat, round capsules containing poisonous SEEDS are formed.

The TRUNK, usually multi-trunk but can be trained to grow as a single trunk, has light brown, flaky BARK. The BRANCHES droop as the tree ages and grows, so pruning will be necessary if people are to walk under the canopy. The TWIGS are thick and brown.

The nuts and sprouts are poisonous to domestic animals. The roots from this tree have been used in soap to clean and whiten clothes. Other reported uses include a cream application to prevent gangrene and a tonic that cures toothache.