'I remember the times when, in late autumn, we would take conkers, the fruit of the Horse Chestnut, threaded on shoelaces to school to do battle.
Those days of simplicity and seasonality.
Our lives are not enriched by this lack of contact, of association.
Here is 𝐴𝑒𝑠𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 ℎ𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑢𝑚, Marronnier d’Inde, Witte paardenkastanje.
Unlike its sweeter cousin, it is not edible.
Planted at the old racecourse at Groenendaal about a century ago, it stands as an ornamental. One of the first broadleaves to break sticky bud, it is soon followed by a candelabra of white flowers, as its Dutch name suggests.
I recall it being described as a garlanded Christmas tree, such is its beauty.
The adjective “Horse” is derogatory, meaning not fit for food.
Dog, cow, horse, goat. Not as good as the real thing.
Still, it is magnificent, and I know of few others in the Forest.'