Adress
Place des Bienfaiteurs / Weldoenersplein
Schaarbeek
GPS coordinates :
50.8579
, 4.3843
Scientific inventory
Identity
Category :
Arbre remarquable
Latin name :
Aesculus hippocastanum
French name :
Marronnier commun
Dutch name :
Witte paardenkastanje
English name :
Common horse chestnut
Family :
Aesculus
Height :
20 m
Targeted height :
This species can grow up to 30–35 m
Diameter of the crown :
16 m
Trunk circumference :
317 cm
Expected circumference :
700 cm
Expected longevity :
Can live for 300 years
Origin / Indigenous
Originally from the Balkans and Anatolia, it spread throughout Europe in the middle of the 16th century
Favorite soil :
Likes all soil types, but not too dry if possible
Favorite climate
Cool to temperate and Mediterranean
Usefulness and services of the tree :
Enhances the landscape :
+
Enhances the biodiversity :
+
Provide oxygen :
++
Purify the air :
+++
Filter the water :
Prevents flooding :
Stores carbon :
++
Softens the climate :
++
Limits soil erosion :
Does good, heals :
+
Collection of the Belgian State, permanent loan to the Meise Botanic Garden : Hempel, Die Bäume und Sträucher dese Waldes, pl. 47, 1889
Features and characters of the individual
This pair of chestnut trees take part in everyday life in the neighbourhood. Children meet at the bottom of them to play, and elders do the same to chat. Sometimes they’ll take one or two chestnuts away in their pockets. Who knows if this tree’s chestnuts, which are considered to be “benefactors” more than anywhere else, are actually a cure for rheumatic pain. Some people think that they are the ones that gave the place its name.
