Aesculus ×marylandica Booth ex Kirchn.
Aesculus ×marylandica Booth ex Kirchn. is a deciduous tree, also known as Maryland Yellowwood or Oconee Bell, which belongs to the Sapindaceae family. It is a hybrid of Aesculus pavia and Aesculus sylvatica and is commonly found in the southeastern regions of the United States.
Origin
Aesculus ×marylandica Booth ex Kirchn. was first discovered in the 1930s by Dr. William C. Coker and W. L. McAtee at the University of North Carolina and originated from a controlled cross between Aesculus pavia and Aesculus sylvatica.
Common Names
Common names of Aesculus ×marylandica Booth ex Kirchn. include Maryland Yellowwood and Oconee Bell.
Uses
The Aesculus ×marylandica Booth ex Kirchn. is usually used for ornamental purposes and is perfect for gardens and landscaping since it has a showy display of bell-shaped yellow flowers in spring. Additionally, its broad canopy provides excellent shade during the summer months. The seeds of the tree are also nutritious and are a food source for wildlife.
General Appearance
Aesculus ×marylandica Booth ex Kirchn. has a rounded shape with spreading branches and grows up to 35 feet tall and 25 feet wide. It has compound leaves with five to seven shiny leaflets that turn yellow during the autumn season. The bark is smooth and light brown, but as the tree ages, it develops fissures and furrows. Its flowers are in the form of clusters that appear in late spring to early summer and have a yellow color with a tinge of red. It has a shallow root system, which makes it unsuitable for planting in areas with a high risk of erosion.
Overall, Aesculus ×marylandica Booth ex Kirchn. is a beautiful tree that offers several benefits, both aesthetically and ecologically. Its striking beauty, shade provision and wildlife support make it an excellent choice for garden and landscaping enthusiasts.Growth Conditions for Aesculus ×marylandica Booth ex Kirchn.
Aesculus ×marylandica Booth ex Kirchn. is a deciduous tree that is usually loaded with the abundance of upright panicles of red to pink flowers with yellow throats that bloom in spring. They grow up to 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It is a hybrid of two North American species of buckeye (Aesculus).
Light Requirements
The tree thrives in full sun or partial shade. It can tolerate some shade but will bloom best in full sun. The plant is an ideal fit for landscapes with abundant sunshine and little shade.
Soil Requirements
Aesculus ×marylandica Booth ex Kirchn. requires slightly acidic to neutral soil pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. The soil should be well-draining, moist, and fertile. It can grow in poor to medium soils but tends to thrive in soils that are rich in organic matter.
Temperature Requirements
The plant is winter hardy and can withstand harsh winter conditions. It is hardy to USDA zones 4 to 8. It can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and can grow in areas with hot summers. However, it prefers moderate temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cultivation
Aesculus ×marylandica Booth ex Kirchn., commonly known as the Maryland horse chestnut, is a tree that can grow up to 30-40 feet tall and wide. It can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 and prefers full sun or partial shade. It can thrive in moist and well-drained soil, but it can tolerate a range of soil types, including clay or sandy soils.
Watering Needs
Watering is crucial during the first year after planting, as the young tree needs adequate water to establish its roots. Water the tree deeply once or twice a week during dry weather. Once established, the Maryland horse chestnut can tolerate occasional droughts, but it still benefits from regular watering, especially during long dry spells. Always water the tree at the base, rather than from overhead, to avoid wetting the foliage and causing fungal diseases.
Fertilization
Apply a slow-release balanced fertilizer, low in nitrogen, to the soil around the tree in late winter or early spring, before new growth appears. Alternatively, you can use compost or well-rotted manure as a soil amendment. Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can cause excessive vegetative growth and weaken the tree's structural integrity.
Pruning
Prune the Maryland horse chestnut in late winter or early spring when it is still dormant. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches and cut back any suckers that appear at the base of the tree. Prune the tree's canopy to maintain a balanced shape, removing any branches that cross or rub against each other or that grow too close to the ground. Avoid severe pruning, as it can stimulate excessive growth and delay the tree's flowering.
Propagation of Aesculus ×marylandica Booth ex Kirchn.
Aesculus ×marylandica Booth ex Kirchn., commonly known as Maryland horse-chestnut, is a hybrid species produced by crossing Aesculus pavia L. and Aesculus hippocastanum L. It is an ornamental plant that can be propagated by several methods, including seeds, cuttings, and grafting.
Seed Propagation
Seed propagation is the most common method of propagating Aesculus ×marylandica in nurseries. The seeds should be collected from mature fruits in the fall, and they should be stored in a cool, dry place until the next spring. Before planting, the seeds should be soaked in warm water for 24 hours to soften the seed coat and enhance germination.
The seeds can be planted in pots or directly in the ground. If planting in pots, use a well-drained potting mix and plant one seed per pot. Water the potting mix thoroughly and keep it moist until the seed germinates. Seeds planted directly in the ground require a well-drained site that is free from weeds. Plant the seeds 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart. Water the soil regularly until the seedlings emerge.
Cutting Propagation
Cutting propagation is a less common method of propagating Aesculus ×marylandica. Semi-hardwood cuttings are collected in late summer or early fall from the current year's growth. The cuttings should be 6 to 8 inches long and include at least two nodes.
The cuttings should be dipped in rooting hormone and planted in a well-drained potting mix. Place the cuttings in a warm and humid environment, and cover them with plastic to retain moisture. Keep the soil moist until roots have formed. Transplant the cuttings to individual pots once the roots are well established.
Grafting Propagation
Grafting propagation is a method used by experienced growers to propagate Aesculus ×marylandica. It involves joining the stem of one plant (the scion) to the rootstock of another plant to produce a new plant. Grafting is typically done in the spring when the plants are actively growing.
The scion should be collected from the current year's growth, and the rootstock should be a young seedling of Aesculus hippocastanum. The two plants are carefully joined together by making a diagonal cut in both the scion and rootstock. The two pieces are then secured with grafting tape and covered with grafting wax to prevent moisture loss.
The grafted plant should be kept in a warm, humid environment until the graft has taken. Once the new plant has produced new growth, remove the grafting tape and wax.
Disease Management
Aesculus ×marylandica Booth ex Kirchn., commonly known as the Maryland hybrid horse chestnut, is prone to a few diseases. Leaf blotch, powdery mildew, and leaf scorch are among the most frequent diseases that can affect Maryland hybrid horse chestnuts.
Leaf blotch is a fungal disease that causes leaf discoloration and early defoliation. The usage of fungicides like copper oxychloride or mancozeb can help to manage this illness. To prevent the disease from spreading, affected leaves must be removed and disposed of, and the soil around the plant must be cleaned.
Powdery mildew is another fungal disease that creates a powdery white coating on the leaves, stems, and flowers, resulting in stunted plant growth and early leaf drop. To manage this disease, you may use fungicides like potassium bicarbonate or neem oil, as well as avoiding watering the leaves. Adequate spacing of plants, regular pruning to improve airflow, and cultivation of resistant varieties can all help to prevent this disease.
Leaf scorch is a condition in which leaves become brown around the edges and their tips. This can be caused by hot, dry weather, poor soil conditions, or lack of water. Watering the plant every 7-10 days during the hot, dry summer months can help to prevent this disease. Regular feeding and watering the plant can also improve its chances of surviving the disease.
Pest Management
The Maryland hybrid horse chestnut is also susceptible to a variety of pests. Japanese beetles, scale insects, and leaf miners are among the most aggravating. Japanese beetles devour the plant's leaves, flowers, and fruits, causing significant harm. The beetles can be handpicked when their larval stage progresses into the adult stage or utilizing insecticides like permethrin, cyfluthrin, or carbaryl.
Scale insects are a destructive pest that can feed on the plant's sap, weakening and eventually killing it. Pruning infested leaves or branches and treating the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap can help to manage the spread of this pest.
Leaf miners are tiny insects that tunnel through the plant's leaves, causing tunnels and discoloration. Yellow sticky traps and neem oil sprays can be utilized to manage this pest.
Regular inspection of the plant for signs of pest infestation or disease, appropriate pruning and spacing of the plants, and providing the plant with adequate nutrients and water can all help to prevent pests and illnesses from infecting the Maryland hybrid horse chestnut.
