April Tree of the Month-Horse chestnut -

Wanna play a game of conkers? IF you grew up in the UK, you probably have fond memories of collecting conkers to battle your mates with. The shiny mahogany-colored nuts collected in fall from the horse chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum, were drilled in the middle and then threaded with a string. The simple idea of the game was to break your opponent’s conker.

*Conkers is a UK game played with horse chestnut fruit.*
*Photo credit: North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox*

The game has lost popularity these days, just as the tree the conkers come from, due to the common unsightly issues like Leaf blotch, powdery mildew, and anthracnose that seem to plague horse chestnuts.

*Above,the well-known horse chestnut tree at Missouri Botanical Garden in spring, when the foliage is fresh and green. Below, the same tree after leaf blotch appears by mid-summer.*

Despite the foliar issues, horse chestnuts can get large, up to 75 feet, so you won’t find many in the typical suburban yard. It makes a stately tree for parks and botanical gardens, where it can enjoy moist, organically rich soils in full sun to part shade.

In spring, the showy upright, panicle flowers attract pollinators and, if the timing is right, early hummingbirds. The flowers are followed by the leathery fruits in the fall. Fall color is mostly brown and not noteworthy.

*The buds of horse chestnut are darker and stickier than those of other Aesculus.*

The palmate leaves are very similar to those of close relatives, the Ohio buckeye July Tree of the Month-Ohio Buckeye – and the bottlebrush buckeye July Shrub of the Month-Bottlebrush buckeye –. The easiest way to tell horse chestnuts from Ohio buckeyes is by the terminal buds. Horse chestnut’s buds are dark and sticky, compared to the lighter colored, dry buds of the Ohio buckeye.

*MBG’s signage explaining horse chestnut’s medicinal and toxic properties.*

What I love about this plant;

-Beautiful, large, stately tree.

-Showy, unique flowers.

-Interesting fruit.

-Unique history.

What’s not so great;

-All parts are HIGHLY toxic to humans and pets. Use caution if gathering nuts, etc.

– Leaf blotch, powdery mildew, and anthracnose turn this beautiful tree downright ugly by mid-summer.

-The large fruit, although beautiful, can be a messy trip hazard. Avoid planting near walkways, drives, or sidewalks.

-Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com

Words and photos by Jo Batzer unless stated otherwise.

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