Red buckeye | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Soapberry (formerly Horse-chestnut)
Family (botanic) Sapindaceae (formerly Hippocastanaceae)
Planting site Residential and parks, Under utility lines
Tree or plant type Tree
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale Illinois, North America
Size range Small tree (15-25 feet)
Mature height 15-20 feet
Mature width 15-30 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily), Full shade (4 hrs or less of light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
Soil preference Acid soil, Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances Alkaline soil, Clay soil, Occasional drought, Occasional flooding, Road salt
Season of interest late spring
Flower color and fragrance Red
Shape or form Oval, Round, Upright
Growth rate Slow
Transplants well No
Planting considerations Messy fruit/plant parts
Wildlife Browsers, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Small mammals
Has cultivars Yes

Native geographic location and habitat:

Native to the southern United States, up into the southern tip of Illinois.

Bark color and texture:

Bark is dark brown, relatively smooth, and flaking off with age.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

The opposite leaves are palmately compound with five leaflets and 3 to 6 inches long. Leaves are handsome, dark green in summer with minimal fall color.