The Horse Chestnut tree is more familiar in Britain and Ireland for its conkers than anything else. The traditional children’s game is played with the seeds of the horse chestnut. The tree originates from the Balkans and has spread throughout the temperate regions where it is often found in parks and large gardens. It arrived in Britain in the sixteenth century, but was extensively planted during the eighteen century, often in avenues. The common name arrives from the distinctive pattern of a horseshoe that is left on the twigs when a leaf breaks off.
Anne Frank wrote in her diary about a horse chestnut tree that was outside her house in central Amsterdam. In 2012 that tree blew down, but young trees have been grown from its conkers.
This tree is on the Back Walk in the Fellows’ Garden at Trinity College.
