Widely planted on European estates, this magnificent tree is also found in town squares and streets, and often planted as avenues. The emerging shoots are covered in wooly bown hairs, and the large sticky buds are especially eye catching. The flower spikes are composed of up to ninety flowers, borne upright, and of an attractive pink and yellow colour. In Autumn the huge palmate leaves colour beautifully, followed by shiny brown conkers encased in spiny green shells.