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Aesculus 'Homestead'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ES-kew-lus
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Homestead buckey was introduced in 1990 by South Dakota State University. It is a hybrid of A. flava x A. glabra. It is a member of the maple family (Sapindaceae).

This medium to large rounded tree reaches 40 to 70 feet tall and 40 to 50 feet wide at maturity with an oval to rounded crown. Plant it in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil.  It does not do well in dry soils.

Yellowish-red flowers are in upright panicles and are followed by the typical buckeye fruit, although few are produced..  Its medium green leaves have a deep red to orange fall color. After the leaves drop, it has an attractive winter silhouette giving it 4 seasons of interest.

It makes an excellent choice for urban environments likes parks and street plantings. Use in the landscape as an accent  or flowering shade tree.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:   Leaf scorch can occur in drought conditions. Watch for powdery mildew.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#full sun tolerant#orange leaves#red flowers#yellow flowers#yellow leaves#winter interest#fall color yellow#fall color red#fall color orange#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#fruitless
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#full sun tolerant#orange leaves#red flowers#yellow flowers#yellow leaves#winter interest#fall color yellow#fall color red#fall color orange#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#fruitless
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Aesculus
    Family:
    Sapindaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruits are eaten by wildlife, including squirrels
    Dimensions:
    Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    more than 60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Nut
    Fruit Description:
    Produces very few buckeye fruits.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Description:
    Panicle of yellowish red flowers which are sterile open from mid-May-June.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Palmatifid
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Opposite, palmately compound leaves with five leaflet. Red, yellow, to orange fall color
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Light Gray
    Bark Description:
    Ashy gray bark is deeply furrowed and planted
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Flowering Tree
    Shade Tree
    Street Tree
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Urban Conditions
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Severe vomiting and diarrhea, depression or excitement, dilated pupils, coma, convulsions, wobbly
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Aesculin (a glycosidic saponin), other saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves