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AESCULUS hippocastanum
Commonly known as Common horse chestnut, Conker tree, Horse chestnut
White flowers, spiky 'horse chestnuts' (conkers)
Further Reading....
- Details
- Description
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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Deciduous - 5- to 7-palmate, mid-green leaves comprising obovate leaflets 30cm (12in) or more long.
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White - with yellow, later pink, marks.
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Height - 25m (80ft)
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Spread - 20m (70ft)
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Tree - vigorous, spreading, rounded tree. Flowers are followed by spiny fruit.
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Very hardy - Hardy in the severest continental climates including exposed upland locations in the UK. Plant can withstand temperatures < -20 (-4°F)
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Full sun
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Partial shade
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Harmful if eaten - These will give you an upset tummy, so please don't eat any of these.
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Additional Features - Good to know - - wildlife plant - nectar and pollen for insects.
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Medicinal properties
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Pests & Diseases - scale insects, canker, coral spot, leaf blotch.
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Place of origin - southeastern Europe,
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Flower Shape - Panicles - - conical panicles to 30cm (12in) tall
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Hardiness - Fully hardy -
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Leaf form - Compound Palmate - see photos above
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Leaf margin - Serrulate - see photos above
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Pruning group - Pruning group 1
Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.
RHS group 1 -
Seasonal Interest - Autumn -
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Summer
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Soil Conditions - Fertile moist well-drained soil -
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Tree Shape - Rounded to broadly spreading -
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Wildlife - Bee friendly -
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Aesculus - Growing Guide
- Growing Aesculus
- Four horse chestnuts from Caerhays - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Aesculus wilsonii - Video Tip ondemand_video
Shrubs - Care Guide
- How to plant/move a shrub
- How to plant/move a shrub - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Fertisiling shrubs - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Mulching - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Pruning a shrub - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Summer propagation - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Taking semi-ripe cuttings -Video Tip ondemand_video
- Self-sown seedlings - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Trimming a shrub - Video Tip ondemand_video
Trees - Care Guide
- How to plant a tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- How to plant a tree
- Checking ties - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Restaking fallen young trees - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Fallen old tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Clearing up fallen beech tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Spring pruning - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing side shoots - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Pruning and Shaping Magnolia - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Deer protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Weed Spraying - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing Ivy - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing wire protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Tree Survey - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Crown uplift - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing shoots below graft - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing peeling bark - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Maintaining variegation - Video Tip ondemand_video
25m (80ft)
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20m (70ft) |

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Useful extras...

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00

Vermin & Pest Control
Tree Guards
Essential small tree protection from vermin and strimming. This pack includes 5 x 90cm canes and 5 x 90cm spiral guards. Includes instructions.
Only £5.00

Garden Goodies
Slate Tie-on Plant Labels
Hand made in Cornwall, these delightful natural slate labels are perfect for pots.
Comes with chalk pen. Pack of 5
Only £10.20