Timber
The wood of the horse-chestnut is one of the poorest and least valuable we have, on account of its softness and want of strength and durability. Though it has a fine close and even grain, white or yellowish-white colour, and is not liable to twist or warp so much as most woods, it does not cut cleanly, decays rapidly, and is only used as a rule for such purposes as cheap packing-cases and linings.
It burns so badly that it is of little use as firewood, and though occasionally cut into veneers or used as a cheap substitute for sycamore, poplar, and lime, in making dairy utensils, platters, and brush backs, it cannot be said to have a regular market. From 4d. to 8d. a foot is about the usual value in most parts of England, though Webster says that it was worth a shilling in Banffshire some years ago.
Holtzapffel says that it is one of the white woods of the Tunbridge turner, a useful wood for brush backs and turnery, preferable to holly for large varnished and painted works on account of its great size.
I am not aware whether it has been tried for pulp-making, but it would seem to be a suitable wood for that purpose on account of its softness, and could, if required, be produced in quantity at a low price. (H.J.E.)
ÆSCULUS CARNEA, Red Horst-Chestnut
- Æsculus carnea, Hayne, Dendrol. Flora, 43 (1822).
- Æsculus rubicunda, Loiseleur, Herb. Amat. vi. t. 357 (1822); Loudon, Arb. et Frut. Brit. i. 467 (1838); Carrière, Rev. Horticole, 1878, p. 370, coloured figure of var. Briotii.
- Æsculus Hippocastanum, L. x Æsculus Pavia, L., Koch, Dendrologie, i. 507 (1869).
A small tree, occasionally 50 feet, but rarely exceeding 30 feet in height. Leaves resembling those of the common horse-chestnut, but darker green with an uneven surface, the leaflets being shortly stalked and more or less curved and twisted. Flowers red, showing as they open an orange-coloured blotch at the base of the petals, which afterwards becomes deep red. Petals five, standing nearly erect, their limbs not spreading horizontally at right angles to the claws, as occurs in the common horse-chestnut; edges of the petals furnished with minute glands, like those present in Æsculus Pavia. Fruits with slender prickles.
Identification
In winter, the species is distinguished as follows:—Twigs rather stout, grey, shortly pubescent; leaf-scars as in Æsculus Hippocastanum. Buds slightly viscid and smaller than in that species; scales brown, edged with a dry membranous dark-coloured rim. Lateral buds small, oval, pointed, arising from the twig at an acute angle.
