Yellow Buckeye is a medium to large native tree typically growing 50–75 feet tall. It is commonly found in rich woodlands and mountainous regions.

The tree has large, compound leaves (leaf made of leaflets) arranged in a palmate pattern (leaflets radiating from one point). In spring, it produces upright clusters of yellow flowers.

By fall, the tree produces smooth brown seeds enclosed in husks. The leaves turn yellow before dropping. Yellow Buckeye is valued for its ornamental flowers and shade.

References

Aesculus flava (Big Buckeye, Sweet Buckeye, Yellow Buckeye) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). Plants.ces.ncsu.edu. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/aesculus-flava/

Yellow buckeye. (n.d.). The Morton Arboretum. https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/yellow-buckeye/

Words by Ben Hanson.  Photos by Sarah Cote.  2026