Chinquapin
Castanea pumila ashei

Family: Fagaceae

What it is like

Castanea pumila ashei is a deciduous Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft 5in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 5

Where it is found

By the coast, in dry thickets woods and borders of swamps.

Eastern N. America. - Virginia to Texas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Japan, North America, USA,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Seed - raw or cooked. Sweet with a nice nutty flavour, it is very acceptable raw. When baked it becomes even sweeter and develops a floury texture, it makes an excellent potato or cereal substitute. The seed is quite small, about half the size of C. dentata. Sold in local markets in America.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The leaves contain tannin and are antiperiodic, astringent and tonic. An infusion of the leaves has been used as an external wash for the feverish condition common to colds.

Antiperiodic: Counteracts recurring illnesses such as malaria.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 2

The bark, leaves, wood and seed husks all contain tannin. Wood - hard, strong, light. Used for fence posts etc.

Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Prefers a good well-drained slightly acid loam but succeeds in dry soils. Once established, it is very drought tolerant. Very tolerant of highly acid, infertile dry sands. Averse to calcareous soils but succeeds on harder limestones. Although it is winter-hardy in most areas of Britain, this species only really thrives in areas with hot summers. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun. Produces suckers, eventually forming a thicket. An excellent soil-enriching understorey in pine forests. Flowers are produced on wood of the current year's growth. Plants are fairly self-sterile. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus. Fruits are produced within 2 - 3 years from seed. One report dealing with the type species states that it never fruits in Britain. However, a bush at Wisley fruits well in most years. Therefore it is hoped that this sub-species will also fruit in Britain. There are a few plants at Hilliers Arboretum, but we have never seen them produce fertilized fruits. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagating it: Seed - where possible sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in a seed bed outdoors. The seed must be protected from mice and squirrels. The seed has a short viability and must not be allowed to become dry. It can be stored in a cool place, such as the salad compartment of a fridge, for a few months if it is kept moist, but check regularly for signs of germination. The seed should germinate in late winter or early spring. If sown in an outdoor seedbed, the plants can be left in situ for 1 - 2 years before planting them out in their permanent positions. If grown in pots, the plants can be put out into their permanent positions in the summer or autumn, making sure to give them some protection from the cold in their first winter. Division of suckers in winter. They can be planted straight out into their permanent positions.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Fagus pumila.