How to Grow a Horse Chestnut Tree

Horse chestnut trees produce an inedible nut.

Horse chestnut trees (Aesculus hippocastanum) grow rapidly while young and slow as they grow into maturity. Horse chestnut trees are tolerant to a variety of soil types and grow in zones four through seven throughout the Northeast, the Midwest and the interior section of the Western United States. This tree is susceptible to pests and diseases and is not drought-resistant. It is considered an attractive tree, even in the winter months, and typically grows up to 75 feet tall, according to the University of Florida Environmental Horticulture. Heavy snow and ice may cause weaker branches to break. Due to its size, it makes a useful shade tree in the summer.

Things You'll Need

• Horse chestnut tree
• Garden shovel
• Gardening shears
• Water
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Purchase a healthy, young horse chestnut tree. Check the tree for caterpillars or beetles and leaves that look like they have been eaten by insects. Also avoid buying a tree with mildew on the underside of the leaves or has leaves that are discolored or spotted, since these are signs of disease in this species of tree.

2. Plant the tree in a sunny location. Horse chestnuts prefer full sun and well-drained sand, loam or clay soil, according to the University of Florida. If the climate where you live tends to be windy, choose a sheltered location for the tree.

3. Dig a hole for the tree. The hole should be three times larger than the diameter of its rootball, according to Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. However, the hole should not exceed the depth of the rootball, instead keep it two to four inches more shallow.

4. Remove non-organic wrapping from the tree. Tree suppliers sometimes tag trees with metal or plastic labels that should be removed at this time so they don't inhibit the tree's growth.

5. Lift the tree out of its pot and lower it into the hole. Loosen some of the roots if they were rootbound. Fill in the hole with the loose soil until the roots are covered and there is a thin layer of soil over the top of the rootball.

6. Water the horsechestnut tree. These trees do not tolerate drought well and should be watered regularly. However, the roots should not be soaked in standing water. The soil should allow the water to drain easily.

7. Prune the tree. Moderate pruning is necessary with horse chestnut trees, especially if they are planted along sidewalks or driveways. Branches that droop with growth should be pruned to allow easy passage for cars and pedestrians, according to the University of Florida.

Tips & Warnings

• If the root system of the horse chestnut tree is balled and burlapped, cut the rope and remove the burlap, or it will inhibit the root growth.

• Avoid fertilizing the tree until the following year. Weak dilutions of fertilizer should be used to reduce root injury, according to Colorado State University.

• Less frequent watering is needed in the wintertime.

• Horse chestnut trees produce nuts that are inedible and may be a hazard to pedestrians. The nuts may also dent cars when they fall from the tree.

References

• University of Florida Environmental Horticulture: Aesculus hippocastanum: Horsechestnut
• Colorado State University Cooperative Extension: The Ten Commandments of Tree Planting