Aesculus hippocastanum
Specifications
Family
Sapindaceae
Species
Aesculus hippocastanum L.
horse-chestnut
Description
Whitish in colour, it has a fine, uniform texture, wavy grain and a volumetric weight of 0.50 to 0.60.
Plant morphology
A large tree that can reach 25-30 m in height; it has a spreading, very dense crown that can reach 8-10 m in diameter. The branches bear large buds covered with a sticky, reddish substance; these are arranged oppositely, with the terminal bud being of considerable size. The bark, brown and smooth, peels with age. The deciduous, opposite, palmately compound leaves can reach over 20 cm in length and consist of 5-7 obovate leaflets with a pointed tip and a narrow base. The flowers are hermaphroditic and have a corolla composed of five white petals, often spotted pink or yellow in the center. The fruits, called horse chestnuts, are large, round, greenish capsules with short spines that open into three valves to release one or more large, shiny brown seeds.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Native to Eastern Europe, the Balkan Peninsula, the Pontic area (Black Sea), it is widespread throughout Europe as an ornamental tree.
Habitat and ecology
Long-lived and hardy, it tolerates low temperatures; it has no particular soil requirements, although it grows best in fertile soils. It has little tolerance to soil salinity and air pollution, to which it reacts with reddening of the leaf margins and premature drying of the blades. It is widespread as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens throughout Italy.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
Rarely used for packaging, it is of little value either for carpentry or as a fuel.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Globally, horse chestnut populations are trending downward. Both cultivated and wild horse chestnuts have been severely affected by the horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella), which causes severe defoliation.
Conservation measures
Management and control of the pathogen Cameraria ohridella, application of active protection regulations within nature reserves, ex situ cultivation using genetic material from natural populations.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
VU - Vulnerable
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2015
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2015
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Slightly obvious
Texture
Fine
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
550
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
Weak
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
Weak
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
74
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Not durable
Insect resistance
Not resistant