Common Horsechestnut or Conker tree - Aesculus hippocastanum

Habitat

• native to Greece and Albania

• found in mountainous regions

• commonly cultivated throughout temperate zones

Habit and Form

• a large, deciduous flowering tree

• texture is medium to coarse

• commonly 50' to 75' tall, but 100' specimens are possible

• upright-oval to rounded form

• almost all specimens I observed were taller than they were broad

• lower branches hang down with branch tips turning upward

Summer Foliage

• opposite, palmately-compound with 7 leaflets

• each leaflet is 4" to 10" long and obovate with an acuminate tip

• leaves are light green as they unfold and turn dark green at maturity

• veins are impressed in the leaflets making them appear corrugated

• leafs out early

Flowers

• very showy, reaching a peak in mid-May

• white with a blotch of yellow and red colour at the base

• terminal panicles, 5" to 12" long and 2 to 5" wide

Fruit

• 2" to 2.5" diameter capsules with 1 or 2 seeds

• has a dehiscent, spiny husk, light brown in colour

• matures in September and October

• kids love to collect up the seeds and use them as they see fit

Bark

• exfoliates in plates on older branches and the trunk to reveal showy orange bark underneath

• most of the bark is dark gray and brown

• interesting feature

Landscape Use

• good in parks, on campuses, in arboreta, large public areas, golf courses, etc.

• needs room to develop growth

• somewhat overused in parts of the eastern United States

• good for shade and also decoration (flowers)

Its Healing Effects

While official medicine uses only the nuts of Horsechestnut, or also called Buckeye or Conker Tree, traditional healing methods use its flowers, leaves and rind as well.

The so-called Aesculin found in its nuts, is one of the ingredients of medicals used against various diseases of the veinous system or oedema. The active compound of its nuts strengthen vascular and slow down blood clotting reducing the risk of thrombosis. Because of its contractive effects it is also suitable for treating haemorrhoids.

The bathing oil containing the essence of its nuts helps keeping the elasticity of the skin. Aesculin is used in sunscreen against freckles.

There are also rubbing ointments and bath salts containing its agents against bruises or cardiovascular disturbs.

According to traditional healing methods its leaves can be used for treating rheuma, thrombosis or vericose vein.

The bark has antifebrile effect.

After eliminating toxic saponin from the nuts, the wholesome starchy porridge is ideal for people on slimming diet, but it can be consumed as flour or coffee as well.

Yellow paint is extracted from the bark.

Sponsors:

Ministry of National Resources

University of Szeged

KEFAG Zrt.

Future of Europe Association