Horsechestnut
Common horsechestnut, chestnut
Aesculus hippocastanum L.
Marronnier d'Inde
Native Range: Native to the Balkans in southeastern Europe; frequently planted in Canada for its stunning spring flowers and large spreading crown. Tolerates urban conditions. Naturalized in various regions. Hardy as far north as Zones CA5, NA3.
Leaves: Leaves are opposite and palmately compound.
5-9 (usually 7) leaflets, with the terminal leaflet being the largest.
Leaflets are 10-25 cm long, widest above the middle, abruptly pointed with teeth of 2 sizes; stalkless.
Buds: Terminal bud is 20-40 mm long, dark brown, sticky, with several pairs of scales, and no external hairs.
Cross-section shows the bud packed with white hairs.
Twigs: Stout and light brown.
Flowers: Very showy, 20-30 mm long, bell-shaped, white or cream-colored with red and yellow spots.
Fruits: Globular, 50-60 mm across (large!) and green turning brown, with globular pointed spines.
Drooping lateral clusters (prominent round scars mark the location of the cluster after it sheds).
Good seed crops occur most years.
Seeds are large, shiny brown with a large pale spot. Up to 5 cm wide, 1 or 2 per capsule; viable until the following spring under moist, cool conditions.

Bark: Dark gray to dark brown; becomes fissured and scaly.
Inner bark is orange-brown.
Size and Form: Medium-sized trees, up to 25 m high, 50 cm in diameter, and 100 years old.
Crown is spreading and rounded.
Principal branches ascend near the trunk, curve down in the middle portion, and ascend again, making the tips almost upright.
Notes: The toxin esculin is extracted from the leaves and bark for use as a skin protectant.
Despite the esculin in the seeds, squirrels often eat the embryo stalk.