Horse chestnut
A park tree with white candle-like panicles in spring; it gives ample nectar and distinctive brick-red pollen, and its sticky buds supply resin.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Good
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Pollen colour
- Height
- 15-25 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Horse chestnut, of Balkan origin, is common in Turkey and Europe as a park and avenue tree. The white flowers in upright, candle-shaped panicles are heavily visited for both nectar and pollen. The blotch on the petals is yellow at first and turns red as the flower is pollinated; bees prefer the yellow-blotched flowers that are still secreting nectar.
Flowering
It flowers for about 2-3 weeks in late April-May and is one of the important sources for spring build-up in towns.
Honey and pollen
The pollen loads are instantly recognisable in the pollen trap by their dark brick-red colour. Monofloral honey is not commonly produced. In winter, bees collect resin for propolis from its sticky buds.
Note for the beekeeper
The nectar of the related Californian species A. californica is poisonous to bees; although brood damage has been reported from A. hippocastanum in some years, it is generally considered safe. The seeds are poisonous to humans and must not be confused with edible sweet chestnuts.