Description
Horse-chestnut are large flowering trees, similar to buckeyes, with showy, white blooms.
Horse-chestnut are large flowering trees, similar to buckeyes, with showy, white blooms. These are followed by attractive, spiny, green seedpods from midsummer through fall. In addition to their beautiful flowers and seedpods, horse chestnut trees also exhibit interesting bark with twisted limbs.
The leaves are opposite and palmately compound, with 5,7 leaflets.
Plant Specifications
*above specification are indicative only. actual dimensions may vary by +-10%
Common Name |
Horse-chestnut or conker tree |
Maximum Reachable Height |
50 to 75 feet |
Flower Colour |
White with a yellow to pink blotch at the base of the petals |
Bloom Time |
Spring |
Difficulty Level |
Easy to grow |
Planting and care
Once roots begin sprouting, plant them in pots of composted soil. Horse chestnut seedlings can be planted in their permanent locations the following spring or fall, or whenever they reach about a foot or so tall. Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, fertile soils. Foliage tends to scorch and generally depreciate in dry conditions. This is a tap rooted tree that once established is very difficult to transplant.
Horsechestnut care
The horse chestnut can also be grown from seeds or conke The spiny seedpods drop from the tree in fall when ripened and crack open to reveal the horse chestnut seeds inside. Horse chestnut seeds should be planted as soon as possible. Do not allow them to dry out.
Sunlight |
Full sun to part shade |
Watering |
Medium |
Soil |
Well-drained soil |
Temperature |
30 degrees C |
Fertilizer |
Apply any organic fertilizer |
Horsechestnut special feature
Horsechestnuts and buckeyes (Aesculus) are in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae) and produce poisonous nuts. Horsechestnut is closely related to Ohio buckeye, being most easily distinguished from the latter by having spiny sharp fruits and sticky buds.
Horsechestnut uses
Ornamental Use:
- A beautiful landscape tree for parks and large lawns
Medicinal Use:
- It is used for its venotonic effect, vascular protection, anti-inflammatory, and free radical scavenging properties
- Note: Please consult your health expert
Culinary Use:
- Horse chestnut trees are native to the Balkan Peninsula (for example, Greece and today, horse chestnut seed extract is used primarily as a folk or traditional medicine