Growth Rate of the Buckeye Tree

Yellow Buckeye

• The yellow buckeye (Aesculus flava) has a medium growth rate, growing between 13 and 24 inches annually, according to the Arbor Day Foundation. It achieves a mature height of 60 to 75 feet, with a spread of 30 feet. It thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8, an area that excludes the hottest and southernmost sections of the country. Yellow buckeye appreciates full sunshine and grows into an oval shape.

Ohio Buckeye

• The Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra) also possesses a medium growth rate of between 13 and 24 inches annually. It normally matures into a specimen between 50 and 70 feet tall with a canopy spread of 40 to 50 feet. Native to North America, it has a short trunk and dark green leaves that grow between 4 and 6 inches long. The tree achieves its best vitality in zones 4 through 7a, and demands full sunshine or partial shade in well-drained, rich soil.

California Buckeye

• The California buckeye (Aesculus california) grows at a medium pace of 13 to 24 inches annually. Smaller than its counterparts, it claims a mature height of between 20 and 30 feet, and a spread of 20 to 25 feet. This deciduous specimen grows best in zones 6 through 8, and enjoys partial or full sunshine and moist, well-drained soil. It shows little tolerance for drought conditions, and its growth rate will suffer if drought is experienced.

Other Buckeye Trees

• Other species of buckeye include the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum). This tree enjoys a rapid rate of growth when young but slows with age.

  The red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) claims a moderate rate of growth, accumulating in stature to the tune of 13 to 24 inches annually, and growing to a height of 15 to 30 feet.

  The red horse chestnut (Aesculus x carnea) is a hybrid of the red buckeye and the horse chestnut buckeye, while the bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) is a small tree that grows to between 6 and 12 feet in height.