"seeds" on tree look sort of like nutmeg but bumpy?

MTtreehugger

What kind of a tree is this? Last year before I could pick one of the nut like seeds the squirrels ate them all. They look like nutmeg seeds but are bumpy all over. We live in Montana so it's too cold for nutmeg...can anybody tell me what this is? Thanks

Attached Thumbnails

   

treeshaveneeds

The leaf appears to be a compound leaf, in a palmate formation (ie the 5 leaves all originating from one point). This strongly suggest Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra). If so, the seeds are considered poisonous for us, but the squirrels may be able to eat them. They are not as affected by some toxins as we are. According to Michael Dirr - Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Ohio Buckeye should be able to grow in Zones 3 to 7.

jmcg.insight.gardens

I'd agree with that ID Treeshaveneeds.

I've never seen one of them planted here.


Julie

Garry Brockley

Just ask your local authority what they planted as thats a street and they keep records of the plants they use. but i would say hes spot on with Aesculus glabra.

__________________

bsearcey

Palmate leaf looks like buckeye. I thought the seed pod was more bristlely than bumpy though.

Eden Keeper

The buckeyes hybridize freely so it is not uncommon to get Ohio buckeye hulls that are bumpy rather than spiny since all the other native species have otherwise smooth hulls (there is a fine grainy texture). If the flowers are greenish-yellow that would be it since the spiny hulled European horse-chestnut has white flowers, and is a larger tree.
Buckeyes are said to be good luck charm (if you can keep up with one you often have other beneficial skills that get associated with good luck), but you can't let anybody else touch it or the luck gets drained out.