Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut

Name: Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 260.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$260.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

1000 in stock

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 0.8m – 1m Approx.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut

Aesculus hippocastanum, commonly known as the Horse Chestnut, is a large deciduous tree admired for its bold foliage and impressive flowers. It develops a straight trunk with a broad, rounded crown, typically reaching 20–25 metres in height with a spread of 12–15 metres at maturity. The leaves are large, palmate, and deep green, creating a dense summer canopy. In spring, upright clusters of white flowers with yellow and pink markings appear, followed by large, spiny seed capsules containing glossy brown chestnuts.

This species has a moderate growth rate and thrives in deep, fertile, well-drained soils. Aesculus hippocastanum prefers full sun to part shade and is tolerant of frost and cold climates. Being deciduous, it provides generous summer shade and allows winter light through after leaf fall. It requires only occasional pruning to remove crossing branches and is long-lived in temperate landscapes.

They look excellent when planted as specimen shade trees in large gardens, lining avenues, or used in parks and civic landscapes where their size and seasonal displays can be appreciated. Their flowers and fruit add ornamental interest and seasonal variation.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 15–20 m

Mature Width: 10–15 m

Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut is expected to grow 0.5–1 m per year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut frost tolerant?

Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Flowering Information

Aesculus hippocastanum produces large, upright “candle-like” panicles of white flowers in late spring, each marked with splashes of yellow and pink. These showy blooms rise above the foliage, creating a striking seasonal display and offering abundant pollen and nectar for insects.

Native Information

Is Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut an Australian Native? No

Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut is Native to Native to the Balkans region of southeastern Europe, particularly northern Greece, Albania, and Bulgaria; widely planted throughout Europe.

Wildlife Value

Its broad canopy offers excellent shade and habitat for small birds, while its large spring flower spikes provide abundant nectar and pollen for bees, hoverflies and other beneficial insects. The dense foliage also helps create a cool, sheltered micro-habitat that supports strong garden biodiversity.

Sunlight Information

Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preffered Soil

Aesculus hippocastanum performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained ground unless improved with organic matter to increase drainage and aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then provide deep, occasional watering as it matures, particularly during hot or dry periods to support canopy health and strong flowering.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Horse Chestnut

Genus: Aesculus

Botanical Species: Aesculus hippocastanum

Family: Sapindaceae

Botanical Name: Aesculus hippocastanum

Landscape Uses

Avenue Planting
Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut works in an:

Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Choose a sunny to partly shaded position with fertile, well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball.
Incorporate compost or organic matter before planting.
Water deeply after planting and mulch around the base.
Stake when young to establish a straight leader.

Feature Planting: Space 10 – 12 m apart
Shade Canopy: Space 10 – 12 m apart
Avenue Planting: Space 10 – 12 m apart

Water regularly during establishment; reduce once mature.
Fertilise in spring with a balanced fertiliser.
Prune lightly in winter to remove damaged or crossing branches.

Sandy soils: Requires organic matter and regular watering.
Loamy soils: Ideal growth and structure with good fertility.
Clay soils: Can grow in heavier soils if well drained.
Coastal soils: Prefers sheltered inland sites; avoid direct salt spray.
Poor soils: Needs enrichment with compost and fertiliser for best growth.

Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut is expected to grow 0.5–1 m per year.

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Alpine / High Country (Bright, Mansfield)
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun
Part Shade

Frost Tolerance

Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Aesculus hippocastanum develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs best with consistent deep watering during extended dry periods to maintain leaf quality and reduce summer scorch.