Robert D. Williams

    Yellow buckeye (Aeseulus octandra), also called  sweet buckeye or big buckeye, is the largest of the buckeyes and  is most abundant in the Great Smoky Mountains of southeastern  United States. It grows best on moist and deep, dark humus soils  with good drainage in river bottoms, coves, and northern slopes.  The young shoots and seeds contain a poisonous glucoside that is  harmful to animals, but the shape and foliage make this an  attractive shade tree. The wood is the softest of all American  hardwoods and makes poor lumber; but it is used for pulpwood and  woodenware.