Aesculus hippocastanum
Horse-chestnut
Pronunciation
ES-ku-lus hip-o-kas-TA-num
Pronunciation Audio
Family
Genus
Nativity
Greece and Albania
Growth Habit
Upright, oval; 50 to 75 feet tall, and 30 to 40 feet wide. Medium growth rate.
Hardiness
3
Culture
Full sun to light shade, in moist, well-drained soil. Planted extensively in coastal conditions and shows no salt injury.
Landscape Use
Better on large areas and sometimes not usable on small properties. Transplants easily (may be taprooted). Messy tree.
Foliage
Opposite, palmately compound, 4 to 10 inches long, 5-7 obovate leaflets.
Buds
Buds are prominent, resinous, and sticky. Large, terminal flower bud, very distinct.
Bark
Exfoliates in gray plates to show orange-brown inner bark.
Flower
Flowers white and showy in mnid-may, quite attractive
Fruit
Dehiscent spiny capsule about 2 inch in diameter.
Propagation
Seed.
Pests
Leaf scorch and leaf blotch, both of which nearly defoliate trees by fall.
Cultivars
'Baumannii' - Double white flowers, no fruit.