Red Horse Chestnut
Aesculus x carnea · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae (Soapberry family)
Tree Category
Ornamental, Flowering, Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Briotii (Ruby Red Horse Chestnut)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8; adaptable to temperate climates but dislikes extreme heat and dry winds.
About This Tree
A medium-sized deciduous tree with a dense, rounded, and symmetrical crown. It features heavy, upright panicles of reddish-pink flowers and dark green foliage that provides deep shade.
Leaf Characteristics
Palmate compound leaves, usually with 5-7 leaflets; leaflets are obovate, dark green, lustrous, and crinkled with serrated margins. No significant fall color (leaves turn yellow-brown).
Bark Characteristics
Dark gray to brown; relatively smooth when young, becoming scaly and develops shallow fissures or plates with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Hybrid of European origin (cross between Aesculus hippocastanum and Aesculus pavia); common in Europe and Northern USA.
Growing Season
Leafs out in early spring; flowers in late spring (May); fruits develop in summer and drop in fall before winter dormancy.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Moderate water needs; does not tolerate extreme drought well.
Mature Size
Height: 30-40 feet; Spread: 25-35 feet. Growth rate is slow to moderate. Lifespan is approximately 50-150 years.
Special Characteristics
Distinctive red flower spikes are highly ornamental; produces fewer and less prickly husks (fruit) than the common Horse Chestnut; moderate resistance to leaf blotch compared to its parent species.
Wildlife & Ecology
Flowers are highly attractive to pollinators, specifically bees and hummingbirds. The seeds (conkers) are eaten by some mammals but are toxic if consumed by humans.