Ohio's State Tree - Buckeye
In 1953, the Ohio legislature designated the Ohio Buckeye, Aesculus glabra, as Ohio's official state tree. The tree is called the buckeye because its nuts resemble the shape and color of a deer's eye. The buckeye is relatively common in Ohio, growing especially well along rivers and streams and in floodplains.
People commonly confuse the Ohio Buckeye tree with the Horse Chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum. In addition, the Yellow Buckeye, Aesculus octandra, also grows in Ohio. It is closely related to the Ohio Buckeye, and it is difficult to differentiate between the two species.
The buckeye tree has also provided Ohioans with their principal nickname—the Buckeyes. The Ohio State University has adopted Brutus Buckeye as its mascot. Ohioans have referred to themselves as Buckeyes since at least the presidential election of 1840, when Ohio resident William Henry Harrison won the presidency. Harrison's supporters carved campaign souvenirs out of buckeye wood to illustrate their support for their fellow Ohioan.
External Links
If you click on any of the links below, you will leave Ohio History Central. The Ohio Historical Society does not certify the accuracy of information, nor endorse points of view expressed on the site to which you are navigating, with the exception of other OHS sites.
Time Periods
Citation
"Ohio's State Tree - Buckeye", Ohio History Central, July 1, 2005, http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=1880
Feedback
Do you have comments that you would like to send us about this entry? Use our secure feedback form to send us your thoughts.
Support
Ohio History Central
If you found this entry helpful, please consider supporting Ohio History Central. Your support will enable us to continue to add new content and features to the encyclopedia.
To make a donation, click here. Be sure to select "Ohio History Central" from the list of "Gift Designations," when you make your gift.
Thank you for supporting Ohio History Central!
