Jefferson Township near Jeffersonville in Fayette County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ohio Buckeye Tree
The State Tree of Ohio
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 resemble 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 2025 by Ohio Department of Transportation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location. 39° 38.222′ N, 83° 34.423′ W. Marker is near Jeffersonville, Ohio, in Fayette County. It is in Jefferson Township. It is on Interstate 71 at milepost 68, on the right when traveling south. Marker is on the Fayette County (Garmhausen) Southbound Rest Area grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jeffersonville OH 43128, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ohio Native Plants (a few steps from this marker); Garmhausen Roadside Rest Area (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); Ohio's Physiographic Regions (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); Jeffersonville Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jeffersonville.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

