Horse-Chestnut North Fife

Horsechestnut Aesculus hippocastanum

 

 Beautiful, 5"-12" oblong clusters of white flowers with a yellow and red tint at their base characterize this large flowering tree perfect for large areas. Leaves are light green as they unfold, emerging dark green at maturity. Upright-oval rounded form with lower branches hanging down. Bark exfoliates on older specimens exposing orange bark underneath. Plant in moist, well-drained soil. Tolerates many soil types. Full sun or partial shade. Grows 50'-75' high, with a 40'-70' spread, here a roadside tree in North fife.

The fruit are well known as conkers, a game of the same name has been played since the mid 19th century.
A single conker is threaded on a string, an opponent will have done the same, by turn one is dangled on its string, the opponent hits it with their conker, this alternates until one of them breaks. There are championships even world ones of this game. Simple pleasures.