Help with tree identification.

Hi. Would anyone be able to help identify a tree in my garden. I have been told it is a horse chestnut but have never seen it flower nor bare conkers. I have included photos below. It is quite old but appears healthy.

 

Hi outback & welcome to Gardeners Corner.

Chestnut it is, but the leaves make me think it might be an Indian Chestnut rather than Horse.

 

Thanks for such a quick reply. If so would what kind of nuts/ flowers should I expect to see? At the end of the branch there is a bud. Is this just the tree growth or is this an immature flower? Ill include another photo. As I live in the west of Northern Ireland would an Indian chestnut flower here? Just some thiughts? Also If it ever did fruit would it be edible. Is it correct that a horse chestnut is not a true chestnut?

 

Having another look at the big pic of the tree, I might be wrong, maybe that is a horse chestnut after all. The leaves of the Indian Chestnut are more glossy.

Both the Indian & Horse need processing to remove starch from the nuts if you are going to eat the resulting flour. The Sweet Chestnut is, as you say, a different kettle of fish.

 

Seen the Indian Chestnut fruit in North Wales.

 

Could you think of any common or treatable reasons why I haven't ever seen this flower?

 

Hmm, might be a boy:(

 

I thought horse chestnuts were both? When you say indian chestnut do you mean Indian horse chestnut as there is such a variety in the uk.

 

Yes Outback, you get both sexes on horse chestnut.:D

I'd not like to hazard a guess as to what species of Aesculus it would be from your pics.
Is the bud very sticky? If so its more than likely Hippocastanum (conker tree).But I'm not sure that would be a definite answer.

The bud contain next years growth, and will remain unopened until next spring. in most cases you get some leaf growth and stem extension before the flower buds on the end of the shoot.

As to why yours doesn't flower?
Not sure really, do they flower well in your area?

Its certainly large enough.

 

They can take many years to flower for the first time
The greatest secret in gardening is patience, more patience, and then even more patience