Aesculus hippocastanum

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 1
25m 5
Typically up to 27m, exceptionally 40m 6
39m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Globular to ovoid, can exceed 20m in width 1
Massive, domed 3, wide-spreading 4
Wider than 8m 2

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: High (612 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.: High 4

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: Usually around 150 years 6

Management & Systems

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

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Fast growing 6

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_hippocastanum/ Tsyganov Sergey/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/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, but reputed to be of value for turnery and furniture 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.: Moderate to high – shallow to moderate root depth and large 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): High
Medium-term (40 years): High
Long-term (60 years): High

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Recent introduction (neophyte) – naturalised 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: Apr-Jun 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.: Possible toxicity 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:
High
Very susceptible to bleeding canker trasmitted by leaf-mining beetle, which can kill the tree 5
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
Susceptible to horse chestnut scale and leaf miner 6, but usually without long-term issues 35

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
Low
Few records of browsing or grazing 16, though conkers are favoured by deer 5