Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Aesculus chinensis

Chinese Horse Chestnut

Sapindaceae

Northern and central China (Shaanxi, Henan, Hebei, Shandong provinces)

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height40-75 feet (12-23 m)
Width30-50 feet (9-15 m)
Maturity20 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Maintenancelow

Overview

Aesculus chinensis is a deciduous tree reaching 40–75 feet (12–23 m) tall with a broadly rounded crown spreading 30–50 feet (9–15 m) wide. Bark is gray-brown and furrowed on mature specimens. Palmate leaves have 5–7 oblong-elliptic leaflets, each 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) long, dark green above with a yellow-green underside and serrate margins. Upright, cylindrical flower panicles 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) long and 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) wide bear small white flowers with red-tipped stamens in June. Fruits are globe-shaped, 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) in diameter, with smooth husks lacking the spines typical of A. hippocastanum, ripening to brown in September–October and containing 1–2 glossy brown seeds. Growth rate averages 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) annually in youth. All parts are toxic if ingested. Rarely encountered outside arboreta and botanical garden collections in North America.

Native Range

Native to northern and central China, occurring in Shaanxi, Henan, Hebei, and Shandong provinces. Found in mixed deciduous forests, forest margins, and valley bottoms at elevations from 300–1,800 feet (90–550 m).

Suggested Uses

Planted as a large specimen in parks, arboreta, and large-scale landscapes. Smooth fruit husks — compared to spiny A. hippocastanum — reduce litter concerns on pedestrian surfaces. Mature height of 40–75 feet (12–23 m) and spread of 30–50 feet (9–15 m) restrict use to large-scale sites. Rarely available in general nursery trade in North America.

How to Identify

White flower panicles 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) long with red-tipped stamens distinguish A. chinensis from A. hippocastanum, which has white flowers with yellow to orange-red spots. Smooth fruit husks lack the dense spines of A. hippocastanum. Leaflets are 5–7, oblong-elliptic, 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) long. Bloom occurs in June, 4–6 weeks later than A. hippocastanum at the same latitude.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 75'
Width/Spread30' - 50'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow
brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Summer
Blooms June through early July in zones 5–7; later than most other cultivated Aesculus species. Individual panicles remain open for 10–14 days. Total bloom period spans 3–4 weeks. Reliable bloom requires 5–7 years of establishment.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White with red-tipped stamens

Foliage Description

Dark green above, yellow-green below

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclay
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water consistently during the first 2–3 growing seasons; established trees tolerate occasional dry periods but perform better with regular moisture. Leaf scorch occurs on dry, exposed sites in zones 7–8 during hot summers. No major pests or diseases are documented in North American cultivation; the limited planting history means long-term susceptibility is not fully established. Structural pruning when young establishes a central leader and sound branch architecture. Canopy spread of 30–50 feet (9–15 m) requires spacing from structures and utilities determined at planting.

Pruning

Prune in late fall after leaf drop through late winter before bud swell. Remove structurally weak or crossing branches when young to establish framework. No deadheading is practical at mature scale. Root suckers, if present, should be removed at soil level.

Pruning Schedule

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fallwinter

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans