Aesculus indica

Indian Horse-chestnut

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
30m 15
29m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Globular to ovoid, to about 12m width 1
Broadly columnar 3
Wider than 8m 2

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: Moderate (273 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.: Dense 1

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Early (Apr to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Unknown

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: Unknown

Management & Systems

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Grown as an ornamental tree in UK 3

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Unknown

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Minimal or no pruning 1

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Spring (late) to summer 1

Aesculus indica RBG Kew Gardens Mark D’Cruz/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: –

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp: Not used for timber production in UK 2

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: –

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: –

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: –

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: Unknown

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Low to moderate – shallow to moderate root depth and moderate canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): Likely moderate to high
Medium-term (40 years): Likely moderate to high
Long-term (60 years): Likely moderate to high

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Recent introduction (neophyte) – survivor 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups:
Relatively low 5
Highest value for pollen and nectar 5

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: Jun-Jul 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Moderate to high 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.:
Young leaves may be toxic to cattle 29
Possible toxicity of A. hippocastanum to ruminants and horses from seeds and twigs 31

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: Casts heavy shade which limits any growth beneath 2

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Moderate
May be susceptible to coral spot, canker, leaf spot and honey fungus 6

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Moderate
May be susceptible to horse chestnut scale and leaf-mining moth 6

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer: Likely low