A Look at Lilacia Park-The Plum Estate

A Link to the Past…

Plum Estate

One of the long-standing links between William & Helen Plum’s estate and Lilacia Park is the large horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) tree on the east side of the park.  This tree was planted by William Plum for his bride shortly after they moved to Lombard. It stands like a guardian, silently guarding the site where the Plums large white stood.

Horse chestnut trees are native to the Balkans in Europe, and unlike the sweet chestnut nuts that can be roasted, the nuts that this tree produces are inedible. So why would someone want to plant a tree with inedible produce?  It’s a hardy tree - given that this particular tree is well over 100 years old and has survived the demolition of the Plum’s home, that’s the truth.  Horse chestnut trees have beautiful white spires of blooms every spring and glossy green leaves all summer. 

Horse Chestnut Buds and Leaves

William Plum would have planted trees around the house to keep it cool during the hot Illinois summers.  There was no central air conditioning in those days so people did everything to keep their homes comfortable.  According to William Plum’s garden notes and diagrams, he planted lilacs to the south and west of his home so that his wife Helen could enjoy their scent.  Today, the old tree is surrounded by tulips and other flowers, silently sharing its story with visitors to Lilacia Park.