Habitat

• native to mid-Atlantic United States, throughout central Appalachia from the Ohio River Valley to northern Georgia
• zone 3

Habit and Form

• a large deciduous tree, typically 60' to 80' tall, but can be over 100' tall
• upright-oval to spreading crown. Several open-grown specimens I have seen had a rounded or mushroom-shaped top
• texture is medium to coarse

Summer Foliage

• opposite, palmately compound, with 5 leaflets. Each leaflet is 4" to 6" long and elliptical
• excellent dark green foliage that is glabrous when mature
• less troubled by foliar diseases and problems than other buckeyes

Autumn Foliage

• has better color than other Aesculus
• can be a nice yellow or pale orange

Flowers

• blooms in May, yellow or yellow green
• panicles are 6" tall and 2" to 3" wide

Fruit

• 2" to 2.5" capsule containing 2 seeds
• fruit is smooth, pear-shaped, leathery and tan

Bark

• interesting gray and brown
• old trunks exhibit bark with large flat scales and plates

Culture

• prefers a deep, moist, well-drained soil
• avoid excessively hot, dry locations which can induce leaf scorch problems
• full sun for good development
• transplant B&B or from container only; has a fleshy, sparsely-branched root system

Landscape Use

• needs room to develop
• for large lawns on estates and campus, and in public spaces and parks
• definitely the nicest of the large Aesculus sp.
• excellent choice for shade and variety in the landscape. Plus it also has flowers

Liabilities

• may be difficult to locate in the trade, uncommon and somewhat difficult for nurseries to mass produce quickly
• leaf scorch and leaf blotch
• fruit litter can be messy
• numerous insects and diseases can be a problem, but A. flava is the least bothered of all the species
• have observed many beautiful specimens over the years
• can be difficult to grow grass beneath due to shade

ID Features

• large, palmately-compound leaves
• fruit husk smooth; distinguishes A. flava from A. hippocastanum, A. glabra and A. x carnea which have spined husks
• large, non-resinous buds

Propagation

• by seed
• young plants develop slowly and produce only one growth flush per year despite treatments to accelerate growth

Cultivars/Varieties

• none