Arnold Buckeye Aesculus x arnoldiana
- Phonetic Spelling
- ES-kew-lus ar-nold-ee-AY-nuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Arnold Buckeye is a hybrid between A. flavia and A. pavia which appeared spontaneously at the Arnold Arboretum in Cambridge, MA. The genus is taken from a Roman word for an edible acorn. The species name indicates that it is a cross (x) and that it was discovered at the arboretum. It is a member of the maple family (Sapindaceae).
This medium-sized tree grows 15-35 feet tall and likes moist, well-drained soil but dislikes dry soil. It can tolerate shade. Its texture is medium to coarse with a form that is rounded to broad rounded and low-branched.
The tree has showy, typical chestnut flowers which are held at the end of the branches. It produces a chestnut-like fruit in the autumn. The tree is relatively pest-free and can be used as a street tree. It has a good autumn color. The cultivar 'Autumn Splendor' is particularly showy in the fall.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Autumn Splendor'
The tree maintains a dark color all summer, resists leaf-scorch, has brilliant red fall color and is cold-hardy.
- 'Autumn Splendor'
- 'Autumn Splendor'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Autumn Splendor'
The tree maintains a dark color all summer, resists leaf-scorch, has brilliant red fall color and is cold-hardy.
- 'Autumn Splendor'
- 'Autumn Splendor'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aesculus
- Species:
- x arnoldiana
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- USA, Arnold Arboretum, Cambridge, MA
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is the typical horse chestnut. It has a thickly husked yellow-brown capsule that can hold as many as three chestnuts. The capsule is over an inch in diameter, while the chestnuts are smaller. They are glossy brown.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are held in a six-inch-high, densely packed panicle of yellowish flowers with red markings. They are the usual chestnut shape - tubular with a pronounced lip. As they are at the ends of the branches and held clear of the leaves, they make a good show.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has opposite, compound leaves which have a yellow to orange fall color. The leaf is made up of five leaflets. These are elliptic in shape with a broad base and a relatively pointy tip. They are finely serrated. When they emerge in the spring, they have soft hairs, but as they mature, most of the leaflet loses the hairs. The top becomes totally smooth, but the hairs remain on the bottom along the midvein and some of the larger secondary veins. The mature leaves are a dull dark green on top and a pale yellow-green below.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Scaly
- Bark Description:
- The bark of this tree is pale and scaly.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Shade Tree
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
