Our Horse Chestnut Tree

Question

Our Horse Chestnut tree, planted 26 years ago, has not flowered this year, hence no conkers. All other years we have had plenty of conkers for the grandchildren! Could you explain and perhaps tell us what has gone wrong? Other than no flowers it looks quite healthy.

Many thanks.

Answer 1

There are some diseases that can affect horse chestnut, but these would have caused other noticeable effects like discolored leaves or cankers on the bark:
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/bleedingcanker
https://extension.psu.edu/pests/plant-diseases/all-fact-sheets/horsechestnut-disease

If you didn't see these problems, there are some other possibilities, like severe drought or a late severe freeze that could have killed the flower buds.