Red horsechestnut (Aesculus x carnea 'Ft. McNair') is a medium-sized shade tree with dark green, palmate leaves and showy flower clusters in the spring. It features bold spikes of pink flowers with yellow eyes rising above the foliage in midspring. It has dark green foliage that emerges light green in spring. The palm-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. The rough brown bark is not particularly outstanding. Fort McNair red horsechestnut is a dense deciduous tree with a smaller, rounder habit than the European horsechestnut. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage. This is a relatively low-maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics, but should be planted in a sunny location.