Your Own Trees
- Conferences
- Tree Identification
- Tree Biology
- Planning
- Tree Planting
- Care and Maintenance
- Timber Management
- Forest Products
Helpful Links
- Forestry Reference Handbook
- All Publications
- Education Opportunities
- Current Research
- Newsletters
- Who To Contact
- Forestry Related Links
- Site Map
Staff
Jesse Randall
Carol Elsberry
Claudette Sandoval-Green
Last Updated:
June 6, 2012
Report Page Errors
Publications
Links
- Interactive Tree ID
- Tree ID Definitions
- Index of Iowa Trees
- History of Iowa Trees
- Tree of the Month
- How a Tree Grows
- Fall Color in Iowa
- Making Tree Mounts
- Forestry Images
- USDA PLANTS
- Cornell: Trees & Shrubs
- ISU Campus Trees
- Plant Maps
- The Science Dictionary
Horse Chestnut
(Aesculus hippocastanum)
Leaves are opposite, compound.
The horse-chestnut is a medium-sized to large tree, reaching a height of 50 to 70 feet. It has a spreading, rounded crown and massive clusters of flowers. The horse-chestnut provides dense shade and has been widely planted in Iowa as an ornamental.
Hardiness: zones 4 through 7 Growth Rate: Medium Mature Shape: Oval Height: 50 to 75 feet Width: 40 to 70 feet Site Requirements: Vary adaptable Flowering Dates: April - June Seed Dispersal Dates: September - October Seed Bearing Age: Seed Bearing Frequency: Seed Stratification: Prechill seeds for 4 months at 34F to 40F |
The large leaves are palmately compound with seven individual leaflets which are broad toward the tip and somewhat narrowed near the base. The leaflets have no stalks, and at the tips they taper to an abrupt point. They are hairy when young but become smooth as they mature.
The fruit is round and covered with spines. Inside the spiny husk is a bitter, inedible nut with a large, conspicuous scar.
The twigs are reddish brown, stout and have prominent horse-shoe-shaped leaf scars with a series of so-called bundle-scars around the margin serving to represent the nails.
Click on a thumbnail image below to view a larger picture. |
