Double checking aesculus

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levilyla Baltimore, MD(Zone 7a) Apr 17, 2006

Last fall this was identified by its' nuts as flava...still think so from the blooms?

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Marianinark Compton, AR(Zone 6a) Apr 17, 2006

It looks like the bloom on my A. glabra.

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ViburnumValley Scott County, KY(Zone 5b) Apr 18, 2006

If your plant is old enough to set seed, you should check it this fall (or send a mug shot) for the condition of the husks in which the multiple seeds form.

Aesculus glabra will have a spiny husk.

Aesculus flava/octandra will have a smooth husk.

If I were personally there, of course I would ID it for you now.

signed,

SP

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kandlmidd Presque Isle, WI(Zone 3b) Apr 18, 2006

Have identity, will travel.

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levilyla Baltimore, MD(Zone 7a) Apr 18, 2006

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/546205/

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ViburnumValley Scott County, KY(Zone 5b) Apr 19, 2006

ID should start with the basics: opposite vs. alternate? Leaf morphology (simple? compound? pinnate? palmate?) would come next, or some information about the buds. Flowers, fruit, seeds, fall color, bark, etc. then become useful. I didn't even see anyone ask "how big is your tree? Is it part of your native woodlands, or is it planted in a park as a specimen?" which would then lend toward speculation or not of the plant being introduced.

Soooooo............all this leads to your "what is it, or do I already have it right" question. Based on your old thread, I think you've definitely got a yellow buckeye. It fits all the gross characteristics you've illustrated.

There's no replacement for seeing the plant in person, but I've got a number of yellow buckeyes planted around the Valley here. There are some wonderful 70 year old trees in Seneca Park in Louisville that are my wards and I see almost every day. There is a fine old tree along Paris Pike in Lexington, across the street from the horse farm I used to tend (and collected many a buckeye from). This was a great site to compare yellow buckeye, Ohio buckeye, red buckeye, and red horsechestnut all on the same property. And the best trees I know of are at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, which Dirr writes lyrically about.

Trying to match up one posted photo with website postings from elsewhere and accurately ID a plant is challenging. Doesn't mean it can't be done, just a whole lot more random. There's no substitution for experience seeing, handling, and identifying plants personally, and in a variety of locations and circumstances.

Yellow buckeyes are keepers, in my book. Looks like you have a venerable citizen.

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levilyla Baltimore, MD(Zone 7a) Apr 19, 2006

Thanks...Smarty Pants...so you are saying it is NOT Flava but Octandra. Correcto?

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ViburnumValley Scott County, KY(Zone 5b) Apr 19, 2006

Them are synonyms for yellow buckeye.

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levilyla Baltimore, MD(Zone 7a) Apr 19, 2006

yes they is

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