Castanea sativa

Castanea sativa (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun 

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Well drained

Eventual Height: 30m

Eventual Spread: 15m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11

Family: Fagaceae

Castanea sativa Leaf (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Castanea sativa is a medium sized, long lived, deciduous, broad leaf tree attaining a maximum trunk girth of 2m in diameter. The leaves are oblong, lanceolate and are 5-9 cm at there widest point. The have a serrated or toothed edge and are generally green in colour with a glossy effect. The leaves turn bronze and gold in the autumn months. The bark of the tree often has a net like pattern with grooves spiraling up the trunk, which are quite deep. The flowers of the tree are monoecious and are borne in 10-20 cm long, upright catkins in June and July. The male flowers are in the upper part of the catkin, the female being in the lower. The fragrant female flowers then develop into spiny protective cases called cupules, which are designed to deter seed predators such as squirrels. These capules contain nuts in groups of 3-7 in October. 

Castanea sativa Male Flower (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Castanea sativa, commonly known as the Sweet Chestnut, European Chestnut, Spanish Chestnut, Portuguese Chestnut or Marron, is native to south Europe, north Africa and Asia Minor including the lower Himalayas and temperate parts of the Indian Subcontinent. This tree is believed to have been introduced into the UK by the Romans. Today, centuries old species may be found in Great Britain with some species in Kew Gardens dating back to the early 18th/late 17th centuries. The reason for this is this species was a favorite tree of these centuries, with many being planted by Charles Bridgeman, a famous garden designer of the time credited with starting the English Landscape Movement and who worked at Kew Gardens. Its chestnuts have been used for centuries as an ingredient in cooking.

Castanea sativa nuts (17/09/2011, Hyde Park London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Castanea is derived from the Latin name for Chestnut. Sativa is derived from the Latin meaning ‘cultivated’, for crops.

The landscape architect may find Castanea sativa useful as a parkland tree, both as a specimen and planted in avenues. It is also suitable for stressed environments including urban street planting and maritime exposure. This tree is also suitable for coppicing. Once established this tree is drought tollerant and tolerant of maritime conditions.

Castanea sativa Bark (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Castanea sativa leaves provide food for some insects, including bees and Lepidoptera (such as the case bearer moth). The nuts are eaten by mammals in autumn.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Castanea sativa their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Castanea sativa prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate nutritionally poor soils. It does not like chalky soils.

Castanea sativa requires little maintenance. Maintenance pruning or coppicing should be carried out during the winter months.