Horse Chestnut vs Northern Bayberry - TreeTime.ca

Horse Chestnut vs Northern Bayberry

Myrica pensylvanica

Aesculus hippocastanum

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

CUSTOM GROW

Northern Bayberry
Horse Chestnut

Northern Bayberry makes an excellent hedge or feature shrub. It will retain its leaves in warmer climates but drops them in colder areas. They produce blue-grey berries that have a wax coating on them that can be used to make candles or soaps.

In colder hardiness zones the leaves turn an attractive orange to red colour in the fall, making it a striking addition to your landscape.

Northern Bayberry is native to Nova Scotia and tolerates both drought and wet conditions. It is also a nitrogen fixer that tolerates poor soil conditions.

Horse Chestnut is a medium sized deciduous tree that is native to Greece but has been grown in North America for hundreds of years. It produces large nuts.

A top CO2 absorbing species. Experts think this tree may help climate change more than others.

Northern Bayberry Quick Facts

Horse Chestnut Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 12 m (39 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium

Toxicity: Warning: The wax from bayberry fruit is considered toxic and may be carcinogenic.

Toxicity: most parts of plant are toxic
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Berries: blue-gray
Nuts: large spiky nuts
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Other Names: candlewood, myrique de pennsylvanie, small waxberry, swamp candleberry, tallow bayberry, tallow shrub, tallow tree, tallowshrub