The horse chestnut is not a native of the UK. It was introduced from Turkey in the late C16. Even today it is found more in parks and gardens than in woodlands or hedgerows. Its flowers appear in May and have been likened to candles - a tree in full flower is still sometimes called a candle tree even by someone who knows its more commonly used name. Each spear of flowers is bigger than a man's hand and they are usually well distributed across the tree, making a fine, if short-lived sight. The colours of the blooms, with pink, yellow and white often dominating, reminds me of the colourful, heaped up, cream, chocolate and fruit drinks offered by some coffee shops.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2
