aesculus

aescŭlus (not esc-), i, f. [may be connected with edo = to eat, as fagus = beech, φηγός = oak, with φαγεῖν, but the diphthong presents a difficulty; v. Curt. p. 187],

the tallest species of oak , the winter or Italian oak ( with edible acorns ), sacred to Jupiter , Verg. G. 2, 16; 291; cf. Voss. ad h. l.: nec mollior aesculo, Hor. C. 3, 10, 17 al.