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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.

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