Scientific name: Castanea sativa
Synonym: Castanea vesca & Castanea vulgaris
Family: FAGACEAE
Common names: “Chestnut” “sweet chestnut” “Spanish chestnut” “common chestnut” “Eurasian chestnut” “Sardian nut” “European chestnut”
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Conditions:
Zone: 4-9
Light: Full sun
Exposure: Sheltered
Soil: Sandy loam, acidic – neutral
Moisture: Well drained
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 15-60′ W 20-40′
Leaf and Stem shape: Grooved bark and glossy, serrate, oblong-lanceolate leaves
Flower: Yellowish catkins, followed by spiny fruits containing edible nuts
Pruning: Minimal – none, cut out DDD’s, prune to maintain balanced open branching form, best done in late winter early spring
Maintenance: Low – zero
Landscape use: Specimen tree, wildlife garden, architectural
Propagate: By seed andgrafting
Pests & Disease: Can get canker caused by phytopthera root rot, black leaf spot in wet conditions
Comments: Edible chestnuts are carbohydrate rich and low in fats, not recommended to plant as a roadside tree as falling nuts can damage windshields and are hazardous to people who may step on one and roll an ankle, spiny fruit protects the nuts and allows people to harvest them before the squirrels
Cultivars: ~AGM winner: C. s. ‘Albomarginata’ – white leaf margins variegation
