Buckeyes are trees native to temperate areas in North America, Europe and eastern Asia. It is a small tree with a short trunk and narrowish crown usually reaching a height of about 50 feet, but very old individuals may be taller. It is most easily recognized by its palmately compound leaves (with 5-7 leaflets arranged as fingers on a hand) and clusters of small, pale yellow flowers that occur at the ends of branches in late April to early May.

Why is the Buckeye associated with Ohio and with OSU?
Ohio is known as the “Buckeye State,” the Ohio Buckeye is the official state tree, and Ohioans in general, but especially those associated with Ohio State University, are known as “buckeyes.” The origin of this nickname, which dates from early pioneer days, is not completely known. Ohio may have become known as the Buckeye State simply because many large, economically important buckeye trees grew in the Ohio region at that time.

If you reall are interested, there’s more info here.

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