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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

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:
  • 'Autumn Splendor'
    The tree maintains a dark color all summer, resists leaf-scorch, has brilliant red fall color and is cold-hardy.
'Autumn Splendor'
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#orange leaves#red flowers#yellow flowers#yellow leaves#fall interest#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Autumn Splendor'
    The tree maintains a dark color all summer, resists leaf-scorch, has brilliant red fall color and is cold-hardy.
'Autumn Splendor'
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#orange leaves#red flowers#yellow flowers#yellow leaves#fall interest#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Broad
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Surface/Attachment:
    Scaly
    Bark Description:
    The bark of this tree is pale and scaly.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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
  • 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