Horse Chesnut Tree

So I dug out a horse chestnut sapling from other half's granddad's garden after he died back in 2008 with the intention of preserving the original tree as it was dying from some kind of disease.

When we moved into our new house nearly 4 years ago I stuck the tree in the ground with the intention of planting it elsewhere (and I mean not our garden) when a suitable place was found.

Now my father in law (who planted the original tree) is terminally ill and my other half has had a change of heart and wants to keep the tree in our garden. I'm happy with this but I am concerned about the height and how hungry the roots will be. Also considering I've had this sapling for over 5 years it hasn't put on much growth. Its reached just over 12" in height so far. Is it possible that the disease may have passed on to the sapling and is hindering its growth and is there a way that I can restrict the growth (mostly the height) so the tree can be a bit more manageable and not so overwhelming in the garden.

Its also probably going to have to be planted quite close to a fence and wondered if this is a really bad idea or what distance from the boundary would be ideal.

 

Bit difficult, I had one that I was trying to keep small, cut out the lead shoot and it put up 2 more just as vigourous.

 

So I'm presuming that if I kept on top of the trimming of the tree's growth it would be more compact?

 

If its happy it will grow like the clappers, probably 3 ft a year at least in the early stages.
Pruning is difficult, if you dont want it to look like something thats been chopped.
They grow into a natural rounded shape eventually.

I've dug out a few over the years because I shouldn't have planted them, I dont have the space.

 

I have one that is about 4 years ago and its approx 7-8ft tall now and is a stunning little tree, it is however planted in the bottom corner of our back garden away from the house as I'm aware it will be a very large specimen one day

Horse Chestnuts don't lend themselves to regular pruning as it will spoil their shape, perhaps you could grow it in a large pot, the eventual root constriction should slow its growth down, then re-pot every 3 years or so, into the same pot but trim the roots a little before potting back up with fresh compost etc, much like the care given to a bonsai tree but on a larger scale

 

Sorry JJ, I really don't think this is the sort of tree you should be growing in your garden or a pot. It will eventually grow to a height of 100ft or more and whoever inherits it will have to have it removed. There's also the root spread to think about with the eventual height. Perhaps there's a special place or open area that your in-laws like/liked to visit where you could plant it and watch it develop over the coming years?

 

I planted a red oak seedling, grown from an acorn, from a park in Vancouver.


I planted it about 11yrs ago in a wild part of the local park without permission, it reminds me of my Dad for various reasons.

Up to now its still there and about 12ft high now.