Chestnut

The chestnut tree can reach from 35 to 40 meters in height, it has a wide crown. The trunk is covered with dense bark, dotted with deep grooves, and it reaches from one and a half to two meters in girth. Its branches are brownish-red. The dark green oblong simple leaf plates reach from 8 to 25 centimeters in length. They are leathery to the touch and have a pointed tip. A powerful root system consists of several strong roots that penetrate deep into the soil.

The beginning of flowering occurs in May. Insects are needed for pollination, but sometimes this process occurs with the help of wind gusts. Spike-shaped inflorescences consist of small flowers that are difficult to see in the lush crown. Horse chestnut flowers differ from chestnut inflorescences (Castanea) in that they are brighter: double thick inflorescences consist of pinkish-cream flowers with a pungent aroma.

The sweet-tasting fruits are smooth nuts, the ripening of which is observed in autumn. They are placed in a plus sign with a large number of needles. After the nut is fully ripe, the opening of the pluses is observed. On the island of Corsica and in a number of other countries, these nuts are used to make bread. Horse chestnut fruits look similar to such nuts, but they taste bitter and contain toxic substances, their surface is protected by a green shell, which is strewn with sharp thorns.