Horsechestnut
(Aesculus hippocastanum)

Other common names: Chestnut, Common Horsechestnut

French names: Marronnier d'Inde

Family: Horsechestnut Family (Hippocastanaceae)

Distinctive features: Tree;Large palmately compound leaves.

Similar species:
  •   Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra) - similar leaves: opposite and compound.


Flowers: White

Leaves: Opposite/Whorled;  Compound/Divided;  Entire;  Opposite, palmately compound, large.

Habitat: Where planted, usually in open areas.

Books: Trees in Canada: 158   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Common in urban areas where planted.

Notes: Horsechestnut is actually a non-native tree. However, it is not invasive, and squirrels love the nuts. But they are NOT edible by humans. Its leaves and branches are opposite.

Photographs: 99 photographs available, of which 9 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

This photo shows the overall form of a mature tree.

The tree in flower and leaf.

Horsechestnut has big sticky buds, arranged opposite each other along the stem.

Another picture of the twig and buds.

A flower cluster in bud.

A flower cluster fully opened.

Flower stalks after the flowers have fallen off.

Leaves, showing the "palmately compound" form.

Bark and trunk of a mature tree.

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