My Tree Project The Horse Chestnut Tree (Aesculus hippocastanum) Ella Deignan, October 2013

Growth Information The Horse Chestnut tree usually grows to an average height of 14 m to 28m The Horse Chestnut tree is a broadleaf and deciduous tree Some people say that these trees got their name because they have the strength of a horse Horse Chestnut trees are native to Asia and Greece White, pink or yellow flowers appear in May, but it’s not until Autumn that you see the chestnuts falling from the trees

Conkers In 1965 the World Conker Championships were set up in Northamptonshire, England, and still take place on the second Sunday of October every year. In 2004, an audience of 5,000 turned up to watch more than 500 competitors from all over the world. In 2001 Eamonn Dooley from Freshford in Co. Kilkenny, Ireland smashed the world record and broke an amazing 306 conkers in one hour The leaves and the skins of the fruits provide a hair shampoo

Interesting Facts The sticky sap on horse chestnut buds protects them from frost damage and insects Horse chestnut conkers are slightly poisonous to most animals, causing sickness if eaten The word “Conker” is derived from the word conch, and the children’s game of Conkers was originally played with snail shells Research has shown that chemicals from horse chestnuts can be used to treat strains and bruises Other names for conkers are “Cheggies”, “Obblyonkers” and “Cacky Monkeys”

More facts about chestnuts and the flowers The Horse Chestnut tree is in leaf from early April and the flowers follow soon after Horse chestnut tree leaves may be four to six inches long and range from a pale green to a darker green. The leaves usually have seven leaflets. The Horse Chestnut tree has been grown since at least 1576

CONKERS

L E A V S T R E S A N D

F L O W E R S

The End Thank You