Horse Chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Habitat – native to Greece and Albania – found in mountainous regions – zone 3 – commonly cultivated throughout temperate zones

Horse Chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Habit and Form – a large, deciduous flowering tree – texture is medium to coarse – commonly 50' to 75' tall, but 100' specimens are possible – upright-oval to rounded form – almost all specimens I observed were taller than they were broad – lower branches hang down with branch tips turning upward

Horse Chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Summer Foliage – opposite, palmately- compound with 7 leaflets – each leaflet is 4" to 10" long and obovate with an acuminate tip – leaves are light green as they unfold and turn dark green at maturity – veins are impressed in the leaflets making them appear corrugated – Leafs out early Autumn Foliage – poor yellow or just brown – often leaves are so scorched and blotched that good fall color is not possible

Horse Chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Flowers – very showy, reaching a peak in mid-May – white with a blotch of yellow and red color at the base – terminal panicles, 5" to 12" long and 2 to 5" wide Fruit – 2" to 2.5" diameter capsules with 1 or 2 seeds – has a dehiscent, spiny husk, light brown in color – matures in September and October – kids love to collect up the seeds and use them as they see fit

Horse Chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Bark – exfoliates in plates on older branches and the trunk to reveal showy orange bark underneath – most of the bark is dark gray and brown – interesting feature Culture – full sun is best – prefers a roomy soil that is moist, but well-drained, but fairly soil adaptable – transplant B&B or from container – avoid hot, dry locations to minimize leaf scorch and other problems