Aesculus × carnea 'Fort McNair'
Fort McNair Red Horsechestnut

Aesculus × carnea ′Fort McNair′ - Flowering Habit

Family:

Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family) 82

Genus:

Aesculus (Horsechestnut Buckeye) 10

Plant Type:

Tree 564

Growth Forms:

Upright 563

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 512

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 826

Flower Notes:

Pink (6-8" long panicles of yellow-throated pink flowers in spring)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Lustrous, dark green summer foliage); Brown (Brown fall foliage)

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Round brown capsules in the fall; poisonous)

Ultimate Height:

30-40 feet

Ultimate Spread:

30-40 feet

Bloom Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Prefers acidic, well-drained soil

Range:

Cultivated origin

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Often slightly recurved and twisted, the opposite, palmately compound leaves have 5-leaflets (occasionally 7). No pubescence under leaf (although petiolules have slight pubescence). Terminal buds not sticky, nor as large, as in Aesculus hippocastanum.

Ecological Functions:

Special Characteristics:

Additional Information

Fort McNair Red Horsechestnut is less suscebtible to leaf scorch, leaf blotch and mildew than the straight species, although it can still contract the diseases. Does not perform well in dry sites; plant in moister soils for best growth and flowering. Flowers at an early age. Prickly fruits may be a problem underfoot. Fruits are poisonous (containing toxic saponins). Often develops branches having narrow crotch angles (branches that should be removed).

Plant Photo Gallery

Winter Habit

Bark

Twigs and Buds

Bark and Buds

Flowering Habit

Leaf

Flower Panicle

Flower Panicles

3 Aesculus × carnea 'Fort McNair' found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	ORIG_9352*A	FREH	Heritage Plant Dedicated/Memorial Plant
2	2023_00050*A	GRIS	Heritage Plant Dedicated/Memorial Plant
3	2023_00690*A	WOOD