Ohio buckeye occurs in mixed hardwood forests of bottom lands along river and stream banks and in rich, moist soils of ravines and other steep to gentle slopes, less commonly on drier sites mixed in oak- hickory stands, on limestone slopes in the southwestern portion of the range. It is shade tolerant and often found in beech-sugar maple woods. Ohio buckeye is one of the first trees to leaf out in spring. It typically blooms between March and May, after the leaves appear. Fruiting occurs between September & October. Source: USDA NRCS

The common name "Buckeye" was derived from the Native Americans who noticed that the glossy, chestnut-brown seeds with the lighter circular "eye" looked very similar to the eye of a buck (male) deer. Keeping a "buckeye nut" in one's pocket is considered good luck. However, all parts of the plant (leaves, bark, fruit) are highly toxic if ingested. Many ranchers and farmers have eradicated it to prevent livestock poisoning. Despite the poisonous properties to humans and livestock, squirrels are known to eat the raw seeds. Native Americans ate roasted seeds and ground buckeye to use as a powder to stun fish in ponds.