Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Cambess.) Hook.

EDIT IN PROGRESS J. Sutton 2025–6

BEAN: A tree attaining a height of over 100 ft in N. India, often with a short, enormously thick trunk, the bark in old specimens peeling off in long strips; winter buds resinous. Leaves composed of usually seven leaflets, which are glabrous on both surfaces, shining dark green above; obovate to lanceolate, the central ones much the largest, sometimes 12 in. long, and 4 in. wide; toothed. Panicles erect, cylindrical, up to 12 or even 16 in. long, and 4 or 5 in. wide. Flowers 1 in. long, white; petals four, the upper and longer pair with a blotch of yellow and red at the base, the shorter pair flushed with pale rose; stamens standing out 3⁄4 in. beyond the petals. Fruit rough, but not spiny, 2 to 3 in. long. Bot. Mag., t. 5117.

Native of the N.W. Himalaya. One of the most magnificent of all temperate trees, and equalling the common horse-chestnut in beauty, it is remarkable that this species is still so little known in English gardens and parks. Although the young growths may be cut by late frosts in low-lying districts, it is quite winter-hardy and grows well in any good garden soil, including chalky ones. It does, however, appreciate generous moisture at the root, and will be slow to get away if planted in a dryish soil and exposed to full sun. At Kew there are two trees by the restaurant, planted 1888, the taller 50 × 71⁄4 ft (1966); they have fruited for many decades past and one of their seedlings, growing on chalk at Highdown near Worthing, is 40 ft high and in turn fruits well. Some good trees on record are: Wakehurst Place, Sussex, 56 × 71⁄4 ft (1966); Westonbirt, Glos., 51 × 43⁄4 ft (1964); Tortworth, Glos., pl. 1890, 59 × 61⁄4 and 52 × 61⁄4 ft (1964). At Glendoick in E. Perthshire, there are two trees, about thirty-five years old, growing in ‘a very cold and windy situation, which are about 28 ft high’ (E. H. M. and P. Cox, Modern Trees, 1961).

A. indica was introduced in 1851 by Colonel Henry Bunbury and a seedling planted by his relative Sir Charles Bunbury at Barton in Suffolk had attained a height of 66 ft by 1904. Another plant there is known to have flowered in 1858, when only seven years old.

This chestnut flowers in June and July, and is, therefore, at least one month later than the common one – a great point in its favour. The unfolding leaves, too, are attractively tinted. It is best propagated from seed, which, however, quickly loses its vitality and, if not sown at once, should be over-wintered in moist soil or peat.

From the Supplement (Vol. V)

specimens: Kew, pl. 1888, 60 × 8 ft (1981); Highdown, Sussex, pl. 1924, 50 × 51⁄2 ft (1983); Townhill Park, Hants, 70 × 83⁄4 ft (1985); Westonbirt, Glos., 68 × 61⁄2 ft (1982) and younger tress, pl. 1933, 62 × 4 ft (1980) and, pl. 1937, 66 × 51⁄2 ft (1982); Tortworth, Glos., pl. 1890, 66 × 7 ft and 54 × 63⁄4 ft (1973); Hidcote, Glos., 60 × 83⁄4 ft (1984); Killerton, Devon, 52 × 71⁄4 ft at 3 ft (1983).

For the trees at Buckingham Palace, see the note by David McClintock in The Plantsman, Vol. 3, p. 254 (1982). The oldest of these, planted in 1935 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee, measure 39 × 43⁄4 ft and 37 × 5 ft (1982).