Castanea sativa (Sweet Chestnut, Spanish Chestnut)
Botanical Information
Family | Fagaceae |
Genus | Castanea |
Species | sativa |
Synonyms | Castanea vesca, Castanea vulgaris |
Category | Woody |
Type | Tree (deciduous) |
Origin | Southern Europe, North Africa to southwest Asia. |
Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | The fruit is an edible nut common in European and North American stores at Christmas. |
Pronunciation |
Details
USDA Hardiness Zone | 5 - 7 |
USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
Canadian Hardiness Zone | 4a - 6b |
Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
RHS Hardiness Zone | H6 - H7 |
RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
Temperature (°C) | -29 - 15 |
Temperature (°F) | -20 - 20 |
Height | 30 m |
Spread | 15 m |
Growth | Fast |
Flowering Period | July |
Description and Growing Information
Shape | Upright, branches and spreading. |
Propagation | Seed and grafting. |
Cultivation | Prefers full sun. Plant in well-drained soil. Prefers loam and sand. |
Pests | Most of the largest specimens have been eradicated in North America by Chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) leaving small trees sprouting from old stumps: the disease is now found in Europe and England. |
Notable Specimens | Port Dover Cemetery, Port Dover, Ontario, Canada. Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. |
Bark/Stem Description | The bark is grooved. |
Leaf Description | Serrate, oblong-lanceolate leaves that are 20 cm long. |
Flower Description | Conspicuous catkins. The male catkins are 15 cm long. |
Fruit Description | Spiny fruit that contains nuts. |
Colour Description | The leaves are green, catkins yellow while the bark is brown. |
Texture Description | The bark is rugged. The leaves are glossy. |
Photographs
![](photos/Castanea-sativa-portdover-flw.jpg)
![Form Form](photos/Castanea-sativa-frm.jpg)
Form
![Bark Bark](photos/Castanea-sativa-bk.jpg)
Bark
![Leaf Leaf](photos/Castanea-sativa-lf.jpg)
Leaf
![Castanea sativa, form, Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England.16/10/2019 Castanea sativa, form, Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England.16/10/2019](photos/Castanea-frm.jpg)
Castanea sativa, form, Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England.16/10/2019
![Castanea sativa, leaf, Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019 Castanea sativa, leaf, Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019](photos/Castanea-lf.jpg)
Castanea sativa, leaf, Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019
![Castanea sativa, nuts, Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019 Castanea sativa, nuts, Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019](photos/Castanea-sd.jpg)
Castanea sativa, nuts, Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019
![Castanea sativa 'Variegata'. Castanea sativa 'Variegata'.](photos/Castanea sativa Variegata-frm-1.jpg)
Castanea sativa 'Variegata'.
![Castanea sativa 'Albomarginata'. Castanea sativa 'Albomarginata'.](photos/Castanea-sativa-Albomarginata-9.jpg)
Castanea sativa 'Albomarginata'.