Buckeye
Aesculus x carnea
Buckeye (Aesculus x carnea) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 30–40 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade.
medium water30–40 ft tall and 30–40 ft wideDeer-resistantToxic to dogs
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At a glance
- Rating
- Right spot only (FRTRL: Conditionally Recommended)
- Botanical name
- Aesculus x carnea
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Briotti', 'Fort McNair'
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 30–40 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~40 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–7
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Medium
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- low
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Bloom color
- pink, red
- Bloom time
- late spring
- Pollinator value
- high
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Insects & DiseasesPest and disease pressure is the main knock here, so keep it vigorous with steady water and a well-chosen site.
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- Critical: Salt ToleranceIt has low salt tolerance, so keep it back from de-iced sidewalks, roadsides, and softener runoff, where salt burns roots and leaf edges.
- Watch: SuckersIt throws up shoots from the roots and base, so plan on cutting suckers to keep it from turning into a thicket.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Frequently asked questions
- Is Buckeye good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Buckeye is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- Why is Buckeye only conditionally recommended on the Front Range?
- The main catches here: Pest and disease pressure is the main knock here, so keep it vigorous with steady water and a well-chosen site. The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter. It has low salt tolerance, so keep it back from de-iced sidewalks, roadsides, and softener runoff, where salt burns roots and leaf edges.
- How big does Buckeye get?
- It matures to about 30–40 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide.
- How much room does Buckeye need?
- Give Buckeye about 40 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Buckeye grow into?
- Buckeye typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Buckeye hardy on the Front Range?
- Buckeye is hardy in USDA 4–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Buckeye need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Buckeye grow?
- Buckeye is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Buckeye live?
- Buckeye has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Buckeye safe for dogs?
- No. Buckeye is considered toxic to dogs. Keep pets away and check with your vet.
- Is Buckeye deer-resistant?
- Buckeye is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
Find Buckeye near you
See also
Related trees
Buckeye/Horsechestnut, Texas Buckeye (Western Buckeye)
Aesculus glabra var. arguta
Buckeye/Horsechestnut, Ohio Buckeye
Aesculus glabra
Buckeye/Horsechestnut, Common Horsechestnut
Aesculus hippocastanum
Buckeye/Horsechestnut, Yellow Buckeye
Aesculus flava
Maple, Miyabe
Acer miyabei
Maple, Boxelder 'Sensation'
Acer negundo