I'm listening to NPR and every Wednesday our local station has a small segment where a local garden expert discusses something about horticulture. This morning's topic? The benefits of planting an Ohio Buckeye tree in Colorado!
I feel much better about Saturday's game.
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I feel much better about Saturday's game.
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Ohio Buckeye
Tom Throgmorton
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FORT COLLINS, CO (2006-09-06) Ohio Buckeye
Ten years ago Ohio Buckeye wasn't on the `Most Popular Trees for the Rocky Mountain Region' list. It still probably isn't in the top ten but, deservedly it's gaining ground.
In our region, Ohio Buckeye is a medium sized tree. It grows thirty to forty feet tall. Because of its round shape it's about the same size in width. It is a relatively slow growing tree. It will take twenty-five to thirty years before it reaches its mature size.
Ohio Buckeye has multi-season interest. They have large creamy-yellow spring flowers. The flowers appear in cluster so they are quite noticeable. The flower clusters mature into groups of prickly seed pods. The pods contain shiny, dark brown buckeye seeds. The seeds are a favorite of squirrels but are poisonous to people. They're not deadly but they will make you sick.
The five leaflet summer leaves are dark green. Buckeye fall color varies from yellow to orange to reddish brown. They turn color early in fall. Ours is already changing color but I think it is due to drought rather than the season.
Ohio Buckeye has a striking winter silhouette. They have light brown to tan bark with large dark, reddish brown buds. The branches are upright on young trees but become more horizontal as the trees age.
For years this mid-western native wasn't thought to suitable to our western soils and climate. Back then most were transplanted as balled and burlapped trees and they didn't fair well through the transplant. Now many Buckeyes are grown in containers. With a denser, containerized root system, they survive transplanting fine.
Ohio Buckeye tolerates the different soils throughout our region. They grow well in the clay plains soils and the rocky foothills soils. Ohio Buckeye will grow at elevations up to 8,500 feet. Once established they tolerate drought conditions. Although they may change color and lose their leaves early in the fall.
Ohio Buckeye is a tree that is hardy, durable and has multi-season interest. If you want a tree with those qualities and that isn't on everyone's top ten list, then search out an Ohio Buckeye.
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