Each year I think it's going to be the last time they flower. Right now, they are magnificent along the approaches to Cambridge, in the allées on Jesus Green, and in parks and avenues up and down the country. The leaves have shaken themselves out to their full extent. While some buds are still opening, other flowers are on the point of fading, and fruits begin to set. 
By June, the leaves will be covered in mottles, by July they will be shrivelled and it will look like autumn. When autumn comes, there may be a few small conkers. Not that children bother much these days to be first out after a big wind, scuffling for a gleam of treasure in the grass.
In October last year among the blasted trees in Richmond Park, one or two branches were sporting spring candles, a desperate measure against the ravages of the leaf miner moth. However devastating it looks, apparently it's not fatal. But another rapidly spreading blight of chestnuts can be.
I had thought of ending this post with some links. But let them just be chestnuts for now.
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