Aesculus flava - Yellow Buckeye

Aesculus flava, commonly known as Yellow Buckeye or Yellow Horse Chestnut, is a magnificent deciduous tree for ornamental use in parks and large gardens. With its imposing silhouette, dense palmate foliage, and decorative spring flowering, it makes a beautiful shade tree. Its slightly pinkish-yellow flower panicles attract pollinators and contribute to biodiversity. Hardy and easy to maintain, the Yellow Buckeye adapts to a wide range of soils and climates.

Aesculus flava is a large deciduous tree native to eastern North America. It belongs to the Sapindaceae or Hippocastanaceae family, just like the common horse chestnut. This tree can reach up to 20 m in height, with a straight trunk and a wide, rounded crown. Its grey-brown bark is deeply furrowed, giving it a rough and textured appearance. The leaves are compound, usually with 5 ovate, toothed leaflets, each measuring up to 20 cm long. They are dark green on the upper side, but much paler on the underside: the contrast is striking, especially when illuminated by the sun. They turn golden to brown before falling quite early in autumn. Flowering occurs in spring, between April and early June depending on the climate. The flowers are arranged in upright clusters called panicles, which can measure up to 20-25 cm long. Each flower is tubular, with five yellow petals tinged with red on the inside and prominent stamens. The flowers are rich in nectar and attract numerous pollinators, including bees and butterflies. After pollination, the flowers transform into smooth, brown capsules usually containing one to three shiny, brown seeds. These seeds are enclosed in a spiky husk that opens at maturity to release them. Aesculus flava is also valued for its wood. It is heavy, hard, and durable, making it useful for construction, furniture making, and even musical instrument production. All parts of the tree, especially the seeds, contain alkaloids that can be toxic to humans and certain animals if ingested.

The Yellow Buckeye is appreciated for its spring flowering and dense foliage, which provides welcome shade in summer. It can be planted individually in a large garden or in rows along a wide avenue. At its base, one can plant asters or echinaceas, as well as landscape roses and colourful Berberis. Ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus and Panicum can be planted in groups near the Yellow Buckeye to create an interesting contrast with its imposing silhouette.