Castanea Sativa

Sweet Chestnut

Long established in Ireland, the Sweet or Spanish chestnut, Castanea sativa, is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree with a broad-headed habit and distinctive, spiral grooves in the bark as the tree matures. Can reach 30-35m in height. Long, handsome, toothed leaves up to 20cm/8” long, turning yellow in autumn. Yellowish male catkins 15cm/6” long; the female flowers at the base of the catkins are followed by the spiky, pale green fruit which splits to reveal a pair of the familiar edible chestnuts. Unlikely to fruit regularly. Thrives on moist, acid to neutral, sandy loam, but tolerates a wide range of reasonably deep soils. Can be coppiced – the durable, rot-resistant wood is ideal for fencing and loved by many green woodworkers.

Site: Tolerates some exposure
Soil: Well-drained, preferably acid or neutral, soil
Position: Full sun
Season of Interest: Spring, summer, autumn, winter
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 46ft (14m) Spread: 26ft (8m) after 20 years