Fig. 20.—Opposite Branching (Horsechestnut.)
The Horsechestnut (Æsculus hippocastanum)
Distinguishing characters: The sticky nature of the terminal bud and its large size (about an inch long). The bud is dark brown in color. See [Fig. 20].
Leaf: Five to seven leaflets, usually seven. [Fig. 21].
Form and size: Medium-sized tree, pyramidal head and coarse twigs.
Range: Europe and eastern United States.
Soil and location: Prefers a deep, rich soil.
Enemies: The leaves are the favorite food of caterpillars and are subject to a blight which turns them brown prematurely. The trunk is often attacked by a disease which causes the flow of a slimy substance.