Aesculus hippocastanum

Aesculus hippocastanum, better known as the Common Horse Chestnut or Indian Horse Chestnut, is a deciduous tree of large development that adorns the squares of many villages, schoolyards, public gardens, and large gardens of ancient mansions. It is appreciated for its natural vigour and its adaptability to many growing conditions. It is recognized by its large palmate leaves, its spectacular spring flowering, white to pink, and its large fruits covered with spines that fall in late summer. They contain a single large brown and shiny, toxic seed, but widely used in herbal medicine: the horse chestnut.

Aesculus hippocastanum belongs to the family Sapindaceae or Hippocastanaceae according to classifications. Contrary to what its common name Indian Horse Chestnut suggests, this tree is native to Macedonia, a region that includes Northern Greece, Albania, and Southern Bulgaria. It is a forest species. Its growth can be more or less rapid depending on the soil and climate, the common horse chestnut can reach a height of 25m (82ft) with a spread of 15 to 20m. It develops a straight trunk, covered with a brown to reddish bark, initially smooth, becoming grey and fissured with age. The crown is wide, ovoid to pyramidal in shape, and very dense. The deciduous foliage appears in spring and falls in autumn. In winter, large reddish buds covered with shiny resin can be seen on the branches. The foliage consists of large leaves measuring 30 to 50cm (11.8 to 19.7in) long, divided into 5 to 7 toothed leaflets, light green in color, carried by a long petiole. Flowering takes place in May-June, on already leafed branches. It takes the form of large erect pyramid-shaped clusters called thyrses, 20cm (7.9in) long, composed of numerous small flowers 1cm (0.4in) wide that vary in colour from white to pink, spotted with red. After pollination by insects, the characteristic fruits form, rounded and pointed. Each fruit can measure up to 4cm (1.6in) in diameter and contains only one large seed. Its root system is deep and powerful.

The Indian Horse Chestnut adapts to any deep soil, slightly moist, even limestone. It can be planted as a single specimen in a well-cleared location, on a large lawn, or as a shade tree near a terrace. It also looks good at the edge of a large plot of land overlooking the countryside. Consider its future development before adopting it in the garden. You can plant it in all regions, but it will become taller and more beautiful if it benefits from a slightly humid climate. In the Mediterranean region, it loses its leaves prematurely, without seeming to harm its health.