Golden Chinquapin, Giant chinquapin
Chrysolepis chrysophylla

Family: Fagaceae

What it is like

Chrysolepis chrysophylla is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft 7in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower in July. 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 Wind, midges. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 20

Where it is found

Forested slopes near the coast in California. Found in many soil types ranging from dry and rocky to deep rich soils.

South-western N. America - Washington to Oregon and California.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Seed - raw or cooked. Very sweet and much appreciated. The seed can also be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in soups, mixed with cereals when making bread etc. The seed is about 1cm long and has a hard shell.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Wood - fine-grained, light, soft, not strong. Occasionally used for making ploughs and other agricultural implements, and also as a fuel.

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

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Requires a lime-free soil. Prefers a sheltered semi-shaded position and a light deep moist soil. A very ornamental tree, it is slow to moderate growing and can live 400 - 500 years in the wild. One report says that this species only succeeds in Oceanic and Mediterranean climates. This species has a very wide natural range in N. America, seeds should be tried from various provenances to find more suitable selections for Britain. Another report says that the plant is only found in a small area of California and Oregon, but that it grows on a wide range of soil types. There are trees 16 metres tall in Surrey and Buckinghamshire, it also fruits in Cornwall and fruits well in addition to self-sowing at Edinburgh botanical gardens. Flowers are produced on the current years growth, the seed taking two summers to mature. The catkins have an unpleasant hawthorn-like smell to attract midges for their pollination. This species resists chestnut blight.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe, the seed must be protected from mice etc. The seed has a short viability and should not be allowed to dry out. If stored overwinter it should be kept cool and moist. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Castanea chrysophylla. Castanopsis chrysophylla.