Facts:

*  It’s part of the family Hippocastanaceae which is a small group of trees and shrubs

*  It’s scientific name is Aesculus hippocastanum

*  This tree is native to the Balkan Peninsula of Europe and was introduced to the United 

    States some years ago

*  It is a very handsome tree that can reach a height of 40 to 60 feet tall

*  It is a hardwood deciduous tree and the largest growing chestnut

*  The bark of the tree can range from greyish brown to black

*  It’s leaves are palmate and compound consisting of 5 to 7 oblong, coarse-toothed 

    leaflets that can reach up to 4 to 6 inches long

*  The snowy white flowers are borne in clusters that develop yellow or pink spots at its 

    base which appear in May/June

*  The pollen is red therefore attracting bumble bees for pollination and is found on a long

    stamen

*  It does produce a fruit which is a large prickly, yellow-green capsule

*  Inside this fruit is the huge dark brown shiny seed which is most commonly known as a

    “conker”

*  The tree’s common name was said to have come from Turkey where the seed was fed

    to horses to cure broken wind and other cattle coughs 

Habitat:

*  This tree thrives best when the weather is mild and the ground is not saturated

*  They flourish and require deep fertile moist soil that is slightly acidic

*  If by chance the soil becomes too dry the leaves will turn brown and fall off

*  This tree lives within the temperate forest zone

*  It ranges from the U.S., Turkey, Northern and Central Asia, Britain, France, Germany,

    Italy, Mexico, and the Netherlands

Uses:

*  This tree when brought to the United States and was introduced mainly for ornamental

    purposes therefore the Horse Chestnut can be found in towns, private gardens, and in

    parks.  (And in spring when the trees are in full bloom it can be a very pretty site)

*  The wood of this tree is clean and white however, it is very soft thus causing it to be of

     little commercial use in lumber.  But it can be used for things such as toys, cabinets, 

    and other minor necessities

Medicinal Uses:

Important Note:  The seed of this tree is considered to be toxic to humans if it is ingested therefore should not be used internally unless supervised by a doctor or other professional!

*  Aescin, the active ingredient in the Horse Chestnut seed can be used as an astringent,

    and an anti-inflammatory herb to help cure varicose veins, hardening of the arteries, leg

    ulcers, hemorrhoids and frostbite

*  It also reduces fluid retention by increasing the permeability of the capillaries which 

    allows re-absorption of the excess fluid back into the circulatory system

*  A tea can be made from its back to help treat malaria and dysentery

*  A tea can be made from leaves as a tonic to help treat fevers and whooping cough

*  An oil can also be excreted from the seed which is then used to help treat rheumatism

*  The seeds are also said to be narcotic; 10 grains of the nut can equal 3 grains of opium

*  Externally, it is made into a lotion or gel such as sun-block

Reproduction:

*  If a seed lands on fertile soil, it can germinate and grow into a new Horse Chestnut

    tree! 

And Last But Not Least, Here Is A Little Fun Fact:

*  The seed or “conker” of the tree is played in a game where they are attached to strings

    and bounced on to an opponent’s conker and the one to win is the person who can 

    smash their opponent’s conker to pieces.  People sometimes try to make their conker

    stronger by soaking it in vinegar or baking it in an oven!