British Columbia: Pink Flowering Horse Chestnut Questions

There is a lovely row of these in front of Tsawwassen's Cliff Drive Elementary, and I thought I would like to plant one, but I have some questions:

1. Do they produce viable conkers? I have only seen young trees and they never set chestnuts...I was hoping to scoop up a few from the school trees and grow my own tree.

2. Are they as attractive to bees and hummingbirds as the big white flowered horse chestnuts?

3. Do they suppress growth of other plants around them?

Thanks@
Janet

 

They produce a few conkers, but not many, and most that they do produce are soft and sterile.

 

Darn!

 

Noted as producing some seedlings in Seattle. Look for fertile nuts at the appropriate time, you will probably find a percentage of them - especially if you try more than one tree.

 

Well Ron, if the kids leave any for me I will give it a go!

Are the red flowers attractive to bees and hummingbirds?

Thanks,
Janet

 

I haven't noticed.