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. Sweet chestnut is monoecious, meaning both male and female flowers are found on the same tree, but it is still unlikely to fruit regularly in Ireland. 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. A beautiful, majestic tree.

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