A Horse Chestnut tree in full tree
© By Sannse, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1492806

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus Hippocastanum)

Date added: 31/10/2020 08:59:41
Author: Joan Stacey

This magnificent tree has been cultivated in Britain from the 17th century in parks, gardens and streets and may grow to more than 30 metres, living up to 300 hundred years.Its flowers are mainly white and form vertical clusters sometimes called candles. In October, the fruits which are about 6 cm across with hard spines, split open to release one or two of the familiar shiny brown conkers and we love to shuffle through the yellow-brown piles of rustly of leaves which are shed at this time of year. When these drop, they leave a scar shaped like a horseshoe ,complete with nail marks, which may explain the common name. These are broken down by bugs, worms and micro organisms to form compost which then replenishes the nutrients in the soil.

It is a useful as well as a beautiful tree and although the conkers are not edible, they can be ground up and fed to horses to treat coughs giving another possible explanation for the name. They are also eaten by deer and other mammals.

The flowers are are e rich source of nectar and pollen for important pollinating insects especially bees.

Various treatments for medical conditions are derived from this versatile tree. These may be used to improve chronic venous insufficiency, leg pains, varicose veins and piles: expert advice should be sort as such uses may not be suitable for every individual. There also claims that skin and hair respond well to products based on it.

The timber is fairly soft and so is easy to use for wood turning and carving. It can also be used as fuel as if gives a good flame and good heat but it works better in a wood burner than on an open fire as it tends to spit as it burns.

Folklore tells us that you should be sure to carry three conkers in your pocket to prevent giddiness and that this will also ensure that you always have money! To carry a staff made from the wood is said to increase longevity and intuition and some people believe that having conkers about the house will keep spiders away.

Sadly the tree is under attack from the invasive leaf-mining moth caterpillar. This pest has spread over the last 18 years and seriously weakens the tree. Squirrels also cause damage resulting in dead and drooping shoots. More seriously, the tree may have to contend with the alarmingly named bleeding canker which can kill it. It is important that the country’s bio security regulations are enforced to help prevent the import of plant material which brings infection and disease with it before we lose more of our beautiful and beneficial trees.

After all, we need conkers for our autumn fights: do you boil yours in vinegar, bake them in the oven or coat them in mum’s nail polish?

Long live the horse chestnut and may the best conker win!

© FNRC