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How to tell a buckeye tree from a chestnut?

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by fortydegnorth, Aug 9, 2016.

  1. fortydegnorth

    fortydegnorth

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    I have a tree in the back yard that I believe is either buckeye or chestnut. Either way I'm likely taking it down. It's pretty small, blocked by a walnut tree and we have dogs. I don't really want my dogs eating either, but Buckeyes are toxic. I just don't know what the tree is. It looks stressed from no rain or something. Leaves are all spotted.

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    Last edited: Aug 9, 2016
  2. Shawn Curry

    Shawn Curry

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    True chestnut (Castanea dentata) has "toothed" leaves. Buckeye (Aesculus glabra) is in the horse chestnut family (Aesculus hippocastanum). Both have the spikey balls containing 2+ nuts. Horsechestnut tends to have 7 leaflets, where buckeye tends to have 5.

    So, yes, I think that's a buckeye.
     
  3. fortydegnorth

    fortydegnorth

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    Awesome! Thanks for the reply.
     
  4. bocefus78

    bocefus78

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    Definite buckeye. Trash trees IMO. They drop leaves waaaaaaay to early as seen by your browning leaves, not to mention all the crap that ends up on the ground from squirrels eating those "nuts". Pretty much bottom of the barrel on BTU's also.

    Fire up the saw. You have bonfire wood to make.
     
  5. bassJAM

    bassJAM

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    I'd put money on that being a buckeye as well. If in doubt make a small cut in the bark with a hatchet, buckeyes tend to smell skunky.
     
  6. Bert

    Bert

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    Buckeye tree.[​IMG]
     
  7. Mitch Newton

    Mitch Newton

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    Definitely a buckeye. I've got several. Mine is already dropping leaves. But remember GO BUCKS! We live in OHIO! [​IMG]
     
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  8. fortydegnorth

    fortydegnorth

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    I always wanted a buckeye tree...for obvious reasons. Now that I have one, and have dogs, it makes me think of huge vet bills. :bug:
     
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  9. Splitsnstacks

    Splitsnstacks

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    My vote is with horsechestnut (buckeye) I know those leaves well.
     
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  10. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    I've only seen a couple of those but have to agree they are buckeye. Didn't realize they smell so bad when cut!

    As for the brown on the leaf, we also have a lot of oak doing that this summer. Just too dry. Very, very few acorns on the oaks either.
     
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  11. Mitch Newton

    Mitch Newton

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    I've got three dogs. They have never ate buckeyes. Usually the squirrels get them. Not many on the tree this year. It goes in cycles once every 3-4 years there will be a bumper crop. Usually make buckeye necklaces then and everybody wants one.
     
  12. Greenstick

    Greenstick

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    Buckeye nuts are said to be two things in wives tales. First is if carried they bring good luck. Second, to carry one to alleviate arthritis pains.
     
  13. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    Buckeyes are also known to live in Ohio.
     
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  14. Bert

    Bert

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