- 1). Learn the difference in the textures of the bark on these two trees. The bark of the horse chestnut is smooth with a grayish-green color. The bark of the sweet chestnut is gray and not as smooth. The older sweet chestnut tree will have a very rough texture on its bark.
- 2). Notice the difference in the leaves. A horse chestnut leaf will have five to seven leaflets spread out like fingers on a palm of the hand. Leaves of the sweet chestnut are elliptical are often 5 to 7 inches long.
- 3). Look at the pod holding the chestnut. The pod of the sweet chestnut tree looks like a green ball with porcupine quills, according to the Exploring the World of Trees website. It is hard to see the pod because there are so many quills surrounding it. This pod turns brown when the seed is mature. The pod of the horse chestnut is green and has short bumpy spikes on it.
- 4). Notice that the flower of the horse chestnut tree is mostly white. It sometimes has a reddish tinge, according to the website Botanical.com. The flower of the sweet chestnut quickly develops into the spine-covered pod, having as many as three to five nuts inside.
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