Near West Salem in Wayne County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ohio Buckeye Tree
The State Tree of Ohio
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 6, 2025
1. Ohio Buckeye Tree Marker
Common Name: Ohio buckeye
Botanical Name: Aesculus glabra
Height / Width: 20 to 40 feet / 20 to 40 feet
Habitats: Mesic woods and bottomlands
Wildlife Value: Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers, and some wildlife species eat the seeds. The raw seeds are poisonous to humans and most domestic livestock.
History / Lore: Historically, its light, soft wood was used for pulpwood, woodenware, and the production of artificial limbs.
Native Americans called the nut hetuck, meaning "buck eye" because markings on the nut resembled the eye of a deer.
Ohioans were called "Buckeyes" during the presidential election of 1840 when William Henry Harrison's supporters wore buckeye necklaces and carved campaign souvenirs out of buckeye wood to illustrate support for their fellow Ohioan.
In 1953 the Ohio buckeye became the state tree of Ohio.
Erected by Ohio Department of Transportation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #09 William Henry Harrison
this page online
Location. 40° 56.219′ N, 82° 6.209′ W. Marker is near West Salem, Ohio, in Wayne County. It is on Interstate 71, on the right when traveling north. Marker is near the I-71 Northbound Rest Area comfort station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11333 I-71, West Salem OH 44287, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Amish Country and in Greater Cleveland. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: West Salem City Hall (approx. 2.4 miles away); Red Haw Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.7 miles away); Polk Veterans Monument (approx. 5.8 miles away); Rowsburg (approx. 6.2 miles away); Homerville Veterans Memorial (approx. 6½
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 6, 2025
2. Ohio Buckeye Tree and Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Historical Brick Section Of The Lincoln Highway (was approx. 6.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 6, 2025
3. Ohio Buckeye Tree Detail
Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 190 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 8, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
