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This sturdy young (in 2012) tree has been accorded a place of honor on the down-slope leading to the pathway between Fairhaven College and the rest of campus.  It complements two nearby works of outdoor campus art: “rock rings” and the “steam sculpture”. 

The ruby horse-chestnut is a cross between the common horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum, our tree HC) and the red buckeye (Aesculus Pavia).  The latter is a small tree confined to the southeastern states, whereas the common horse-chestnut flourishes seemingly everywhere.  The variety “Briotii” apparently arose spontaneously in the gardens of Versailles in the mid-19^th century.  It is smaller than Ae hippocastanum, in time reaching a height of perhaps 65 feet.  Under favorable circumstances it celebrates the coming of spring with upright panicles of deep-red flowers to 10 inches in length.  Part of Chestnut Avenue in Bellingham is lined by red horse-chestnuts, although whether or not they are “Briotii” is unknown to the author.   

This particular tree was planted by the �������� Geology Department to honor Linda Joyce Beck, who died in 2011 of ovarian cancer.  A bit of her beauty lives on in this tree. The tree will be added to Western's Tree Tour (); to donate to the fund that maintains the tree tour, go to  and stipulate "tree fund" in your gift.