Aesculus X Carnea

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Sapindaceae

Order

Sapindales

Genus

Aesculus

Species

A. x carnea

Description

It is a hybrid between Aesculus pavia and Aesculus hippocastanum. It differs from the latter mainly in the red colour of its flowers, which are very decorative. It differs from the white-flowered horse chestnut due to its reduced susceptibility to cameraria or leaf miner.
A medium to large tree, but not as imposing as the classic horse chestnut. Has a regular, compact and dense crown, but allows good light to penetrate. Dark green foliage that turns deep yellow in autumn. Excellent pinkish red flowering and very scenic in spring. The root system is strong and well distributed, consisting of a main root with many deep secondary branches. It is advisable to maintain a sufficient area of free soil at the base and a distance of a few metres with paving and surface asphalt.
Long-lived tree, requires a sunny, open exposure. Multifunctional, for urban green areas, industrial areas, landscaping and renaturation of lowland, hill and low mountain areas. Not suitable for green roof areas. Long-lived plant that withstands pruning and is resistant to urban tree diseases of the crown and roots. Suitable for all soil types.

Curiosities and special features

Aesculus × carnea 'Briotii' is a cultivar selected in 1858 by French nurseryman Pierre Louis Briot from whom it takes its name.

The specific epithet carnea means meat or flesh, referring to the intense pink colour of the inflorescences.

Origin and distribution

A hybrid obtained in 1812 from the crossbreed Aesculus hippocastanum × Aesculus pavia, the former species originating from the range extending from the central Balkan Peninsula to Turkey while the latter from the central and south-eastern United States.

Leaf

Leaf has palmate-lobate lamina, digitate compound and toothed margin.

Flowering period

from late winter to mid-spring for a duration of 20 to 30 days.

Inflorescence

Erect, terminal, conspicuous largepanicle inflorescence bearing pinkish-red flowers that begin to bloom from the base.

Leaf colour

Homogeneous, dark green colouring that turns to deep yellow in autumn, giving the species additional ornamental value before the vegetative rest period.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 4 to 30 m. In general, it is defined as a prime tree but is not as imposing as the classic horse chestnut.

Lifespan

Polyannual deciduous tree i.e. deciduous.

Where to plant

Due to its developed plant architecture, it is suitable for open-field cultivation. It is a multifunctional tree, suitable for urban green areas, industrial areas, landscaping and renaturation of lowland, hill and low mountain areas. Not suitable for green roof areas.

Stem

It has a woody stem with flat grey bark.

Growth

Long-lived plant with Medium-vigorous Growth.

Plant habit

It develops an upright habitus with regular, compact and dense foliage that allows good light to penetrate.

Branching

It develops abundant branching with regular branches.

PH

It requires soils with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral, in the optimal range of 6.0 to 7.0.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting at the end of autumn, choose the most suitable location, depending on the needs of the plant, and use a spade to make the planting hole at least one third the size of the root or root ball volume, removing any weeds and bulky pebbles. In addition, carry out a background fertilisation by evenly distributing a balanced slow-release fertiliser for ornamental plants.

Sun exposure

It requires exposure in full sun to express the best vegetative development and thriving flowering.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 10 and 30 °C during the vegetative phase. It is also an ideal tree in cold winter climates.

Use

The elegance of its bearing as well as its spectacular flowering make the Red Horsechestnut appreciated in the following areas of use:

Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping Plants for timber production

Hardiness

A tree with medium to high hardiness, it withstands pruning and is resistant to crown and root diseases of urban trees.

Soil

Suitable for all soil types provided they are well drained and fertile.

Difficulty

After proper establishment in the new planting site, cultivation is easy with a medium level for maintenance.

Growing tips

In order to promote proper root and crown development and thus obtain a healthy, well-proportioned plant, it is advisable to carry out

Correct pruning

Indiscriminate pruning of stems and branches by 'trimming' not only leads to an alteration of the natural habitus of the plant, but also to a lower resistance to biotic and abiotic agents as well as to a greater danger of decay of the entire specimen.

Planting

For transplanting, adopt an average density of 2000 plants/ha, choosing healthy specimens, free from abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Always identify the planting site in advance in relation to the growth conditions required by the species according to the principle of 'the right plant in the right place'.

It is advisable to place the root ball in the previously dug planting hole, keeping it well compacted around the root and keeping the plant's collar off the soil surface, and to water immediately after planting without causing water stagnation.

Pruning

Plant in need of pruning when mature to limit the volume of the foliage due to interference with houses or road frontage. In park or garden, prune only for dryness or desiccation diseases.

Propagation

Propagation can be by grafting and from cuttings.

Watering

When transplanting, assist the plant to allow it to best develop the root system in the new site, keeping it at a constant humidity free of water stagnation and dryness. Afterwards, give quantities with frequencies and doses also commensurate with the climatic trend in the different seasons, in particular during the summer, water abundantly until the soil is saturated, in temperate conditions, without stagnating on the surface. Drip-wing irrigation is recommended.

Fertilising

Use ternary fertiliser complete with Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) during tree planting or when covering over the root zone (50 g/m2).

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

The inflorescence, leaves and fruit cause toxicity by ingestion.

Tip

The agronomic characteristics of the cultivation nursery must also be possessed by the storage nursery for plants purchased by the gardener and which he does not intend to use immediately after purchase. If tree and shrub plants are to be kept on the gardener's farm for a longer period of time, they must be cultivated as if they were in the cultivation nursery. Always choose for parks and gardens trees with a minimum size of 18/20 cm or 20/25 cm trunk circumference and with at least three root balls.