Which Aesculus?

[Morchella]

This tree was growing in the middle of Weston Turville in Berkshire. Looked like the neighbouring horse chestnut but on closer inspection had a very weeping habit and the fruit (up to 60mm long, pretty much smooth, mainly pear shaped) seemed all wrong. Two passers-by told us it has pink flowers and that it's growing in the ex village pond.



Wondered if it could be an Aesculus pavia, although seemed rather big for one. Not sure whether Aesculus x carnea is variable in its hybridisation and might sometimes produce more pavia-like fruit than normal. The other thing that struck me was odd was how the leaves in my rather blurred picture had turned red rather than the normal yellow colour, though admittedly this was a damaged branch.

Any ideas welcome

Laura

[Tiggrx]

Looks right for Aesculus carnea to me.

Just out of interest do you mean Weston Turville in Buckinghamshire? I didn't know there was another.

[Morchella]

Ahem yes I did, geography a bit dodgy there.