The New Student's Reference Work/Horse Chestnut

Horse Chest′nut, one of the Buckeyes, a most cosmopolitan tree, found in the Old World and the New wherever climatic conditions allow it to exist. It makes a dense shade, is one of the most popular shade-trees of Europe, grows vigorously in this country, is common in public and private parks, and is planted along roadsides. Winter buds of large size and a polished brown tip the twigs, and no fairer sight is given the tree-lover than the “unfolding of the leaf bundle, the lifting of the pale green, silvery tent.” The blossoms are very fragrant, telling of the tree a long way off. The fruit, a large nut, mahogany colored with a scar of white, is very bitter; while not edible, it at one time was considered to have virtue, and was carried in the pocket to prevent rheumatism.

HORSE CHESTNUT