Aesculus hippocastanum; ‘Horse Chestnut’

More commonly known as the conker tree. It usually grows between 14-28 metres in height. It produces large round seeds that are protected in a spiky case. These are called conkers. The case usually reaches 6cm in length. 

They prefer damp but not waterlogged areas. This one was found at Platt fields park which is a fairly damp area and the soil was wet when I visited but it was not overly waterlogged.

The leaves are large, long stalked and palmate. They are composed of up to 7 leaflets, each about 25cm long with the central one being the longest. They are all an elongated oval shape with toothed edges. The upper surface is mostly smooth and the lower surface slightly downy.

The buds are brown shiny, brown and sticky. They grow up to 3.5cm long. Below each bud is a shield-shaped leaf scar with raised bumps around the edges which slightly resembles a horseshoe.

The bark is a greyish brown colour that often flakes away in large scales.