Japanese false chestnut (Aesculus turbinata)

Japanese false chestnut leaves

The Japanese false chestnut is a tree of those that to be able to contemplate them either you have to raise your head a lot or you have to move a few meters away. With its 30 meters high it is one of the highest that we can find in the temperate regions of Asia.

But I don't know what are the imposing plants, which I love. If you also enjoy seeing them and you are lucky enough to have a large garden in an area with a climate that is not too warm, Dare to meet the fake Japanese chestnut.

Origin and characteristics

Aesculus turbinata

Our protagonist is a deciduous tree native to Japan, but it has also been naturalized in China after being introduced. Its scientific name is Aesculus turbinata, but it is known more as false Japanese chestnut. It grows to a height of 30 meters, with a wide canopy of 4-5m.

Its leaves measure 15-35 by 5-15cm, and are composed of 5-7 leaflets, with a slightly glaucous underside, green in color except in autumn when they turn yellow before falling. The flowers, which sprout in spring, are grouped in glabrous or pubescent inflorescences, pale yellow or white with red spots. The fruit is a 2,5-5cm diameter dark brown capsule that contains a 2-3cm reddish brown seed inside.

What are their cares?

Aesculus turbinata tree

If you dare to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

  • Location: outside, in full sun if the climate is rather cool, or in semi-shade if it is rather warm (like the Mediterranean).
  • Earth:
    • Garden: fertile, with good drainage, and acidic (pH 4 to 6).
    • Pot: substrate for acid plants. If you live in the Mediterranean, use akadama mixed with 30% perlite.
  • Irrigation: every 2-3 days in summer, and every 4-5 days the rest of the year.
  • Subscriber: from early spring to late summer with ecological fertilizers once a month.
  • Multiplication: by seeds in autumn (they need to be cold before germinating in spring).
  • Hardiness: withstands cold and frosts down to -18ºC, but cannot live in tropical climates.

What did you think of the fake Japanese chestnut?


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