# Red Horse Chestnut (*Aesculus ×carnea Hayne*) The Red Horse Chestnut is known for its bright red flowers that attract lots of bees and butterflies. It’s a beautiful tree to see! - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Parks and gardens ![Red Horse Chestnut](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aesculus_carnea_BotGartenMuenster_PurpurKastanie_6685.jpg&width=800) Photo: Rüdiger Wölk This photo was taken by Rüdiger Wölk . Please credit this photo Rüdiger Wölk, Münster . View all photos (large page) of Rüdiger, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aesculus_carnea_BotGartenMuenster_PurpurKastanie_6685.jpg) ## Appearance The Red Horse Chestnut has striking, deep pink to reddish-pink flowers, often with a yellow blotch, that bloom in upright clusters. Its large, dark green palmate leaves spread like fingers, and its fruit is a lightly spiny green capsule containing poisonous brown seeds, known as conkers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Sapindales - **Family:** Sapindaceae - **Genus:** Aesculus ## Interesting facts - Each big leaf is made of 5 to 7 leaflets, spreading out like fingers! - It's a special hybrid tree, a mix of two different horse chestnut species! - Its 'conkers' were once used by kids in a popular autumn game in Europe! - Unlike many nuts, its seeds are poisonous, so definitely don't try to eat them! ## Special abilities - **Vibrant Flower Signals:** Red Horse Chestnut has bright, red-pink flowers that act like neon signs, attracting buzzing pollinators from afar. - **Toxic Seed Defense:** Red Horse Chestnut can produce toxic 'conkers' that deter animals from eating its valuable seeds, protecting its offspring. - **Hybrid Vigor Growth:** Red Horse Chestnut possesses traits from two parent trees, giving it extra strength to thrive and resist diseases. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 15-25 m - **Spread:** 8-12 m - **Edible:** No - **Size:** 50-100 cm - **Lifespan:** 150-200 years - **Fruit Type:** Spiny capsule (conker) - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed Bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Important pollinator of its vibrant flowers. - **Shelter:** [Common Blackbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-blackbird) (*Turdus merula*) — Nests among its branches for protection. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red Horse Chestnut? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Red Horse Chestnut? 15-25 m ### How wide does Red Horse Chestnut spread? 8-12 m ### Is Red Horse Chestnut edible? No ### How big is Red Horse Chestnut? 50-100 cm ### How long does Red Horse Chestnut live? 150-200 years ### Where is Red Horse Chestnut usually found? Parks and gardens ### What kind of fruit does Red Horse Chestnut produce? Spiny capsule (conker) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Red Horse Chestnut: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-horse-chestnut)