My "conker" tree.

Some of you may have come across me in earlier post banging on about a tree I grew from a "conker" that I brought back from California back in 1990.
The tree in question is Aesculus Californica, the Califonian buckeye.
Well to cut a long story short, I thought that my plant had exceptionally long flowers, about three times the normal length in fact.
After much delving and with the help of the RHS hardy plant comittee, I have now managed to get, no less, than Hilliers interested.
Yesterday I took some grafting wood to a nursery not far from me who do some winter grafting for Hilliers, and my tree is going to be trialled.
Its going to take a few years to say yea or nay, but I'm hopeful.

 

I reckon you are on a winner there Pete. Well done. If Hilliers are interested who knows? Now if you can get a pink flowering form.

 

Not red then, why make it easy. :D

 

Well, if you cross red with white you end up with? :D

 

Its a thought.

 

Oh, come on Pete how difficult is that? :D If you want me to do it for you, let me know, I`m not that expensive. :D

 

How expensive? :D
And dont say REASONABLE. :D

 

Fabulous Tree Pete, How tall is it?

 

It`ll probably cost you all your royalties from the white tree, but it will be worth it.

 

I agree with Dee Pete very nice tree and with lovely leaves as well that's got to be a bonus!
Helen.xxx.

 

Beautiful tree Pete well done,hope all goes well with the trials.

 

That is a beautiful tree, pete, a real eye-catcher. Good luck with the grafting project with Hillers.

 

good luck Pete
its a stunner,thats definitely a competition winner

 

I do believe I have a sample Pete. That is what you sent me isn't it mate?

 

Thanks all, To answer Dee's question, it about 15ft high and about the same spread.
When I spoke to the nurseryman that was going to do the grafting he said that it would be grafted onto the common horse chestnut.
When I asked if that would alter the growth habit he said that it may well do.
So we will have to wait and see how it grows, which I suppose is what Trials are all about.

Dont think I will be getting much in the way of royalties, David


Pal, I have a confession to make.
the plant I sent you was a seedling from mine, I was, at the time, not really sure how exceptional mine was, there is a pretty good chance that the one you have will not be as good.
But if I can lay my hands on a grafted plant at some stage I will make sure you get one.