European Chestnut, Sweet chestnut, Spanish chestnut
Castanea sativa

Family: Fagaceae

What it is like

A large deciduous tree up to 30-40 m high. It spreads to 6-15 m across. The stem is erect and stout. It has spreading branches and a wide rounded crown. The bark is grey-brown. The bark is ridged in a right handed spiral. The large leaves have toothed edges. The leaves are oblong to sword shaped and have prominent veins. The leaves can be 20 cm long. Leaves turn yellow to brown in autumn. Male and female flowers are separate. The male flowers are brownish and hang down like a cat's tail. They are 20 cm long. The female flowers are joined together into a distinctive little tube. Normally male flowers are lower in the current season's shoots while the female (or both sexes) flowers are nearer the end of the shoot. The pollen can have an unpleasant smell. The brown nuts are inside green, spiny coverings. These burrs open to reveal the nut. The outer shell is shiny light brown. It needs to be cut off with a sharp knife. A softer layer appears inside surrounding the nut.

All Castanea bear edible nuts. There are about 12 Castanea species.

Where it is found

A Mediterranean climate plant. It can withstand frost. Trees do produce in the highlands of South India so may produce in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. It requires light to medium, well drained soils. It is drought tender. It is slightly hardier than a peach and has less chilling requirement than a walnut. It is not suited to heat or humidity. In Indonesia it is planted above 1,400 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. Arboretum Tasmania. Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, East Africa, Europe (country/location of origin), Falklands, France, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Russia, San Marino, SE Asia, Serbia, Sicily, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, West Indies, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The kernel of the nuts is eaten boiled or roasted. They are also slowly dried then ground and made into porridge. The flour can be used for breads, puddings or used to thicken soups. The roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute. Sugar can be extracted from the nuts.

Seeds have been introduced into Papua New Guinea for growing trials only. It is commonly used in Europe. It is cultivated. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Nuts, seeds, flavouring

How it is grown

Trees are mostly grown from seeds, but it is better to use grafted trees onto chestnut seedlings. Trees can be grown from cuttings. They can also be grown by layering. Seeds should be from cross pollinated trees and should be stored in a refrigerator at just below freezing for several months to break the dormancy, before planting. Some trees need to be cross pollinated, but some kinds will self between male and female flowers on the one tree. Pollination is by wind so trees should be near each other. Normally trees are trained to have a single trunk with at least 1.5 m to the lowest branch.

This is the fastest growing of the chestnuts. Trees can live for centuries. Seedling trees can bear after 3-10 years. Up to 100 kg of nuts can be produced per year. There is little seasonal fluctuation in nut production. The nuts fall naturally. The nuts need to be partly dried to improve the taste and stop rots. The nuts can be stored in closed boxes, with newspaper to absorb the moisture. If kept cool they will store for 6 months. Kernels can be kept for much longer if cooked and frozen. To do this the nut is placed in boiling water for 2 minutes then peeled and cooled and frozen.

Its other names

Local names

Castagno, Castana, Castano, Chastanhes, Chataignier, Edelkastanie, ErbuGastana, Geszkenye, Geskonye, Italian chestnut, Kapoo, Khanor, Kosten, Mitha, Pravi kostanj, Shaganak, Szelidgesztenye, Thit-e, Ts'abli, Tzabli, Yadliv kesten

Synonyms

Castanea vesca Gaertn.; Castanea vulgaris Lam.; Castanea castanea Karst.; Fagus castanea L.; Fagus procera Salisb., nom. illeg.