Description
The classic Horse Chestnut tree. In the late Spring the characteristic candle like flowers appear in their masses, generally white yet tinged with yellow and pink.
The bark of these chestnuts is smooth and pinky grey when young, which darkens and develops scaly plates with age. Twigs are hairless and stout, buds are oval, dark red, shiny and sticky. The distinctive large leaves have serrated leaflets.
In autumn Aesculus hippocastanum bears shiny, brown conkers (seed) in spiky green caskets.