Marsol Sweet Chestnut Tree
Marsol is an early mid-season sweet chestnut producing a good crop of large to very large, glossy red-mahogany nuts from late September. They have a useful storage life and are easy to peel because the inner skin rarely cuts through the kernel. This makes them more likely to stay whole when roasted, boiled or used in sauces and other recipes. [1] [2]
The tree has medium vigour and normally begins producing nuts after around four to five years in suitable conditions. It grows upright with relatively little side branching when young, giving it a taller, more open shape than heavily branched chestnut varieties. [2]
Pollination: Marsol is partially self-fertile, so one tree can produce some sweet chestnuts by itself. For a fuller and more reliable crop, plant a different compatible variety nearby. Marsol’s own pollen is poorly fertile, which means it should not be relied upon as the main pollinator for other chestnut trees. [2] [3]
Specialist nursery records list Belle Epine, Marigoule, Marron de Goujounac and Bournette as pollination partners for Marsol.
Planting Marsol Sweet Chestnut Tree
Marsol is not a patio tree, so choose a spacious position in full sun where its upright crown can develop without crowding buildings or neighbouring trees. Plant it in freely draining, acid-to-neutral soil. Lighter loam or sandy ground is preferable, while chalky, alkaline soil should be avoided. [1] [2] [5]
Marsol has useful resistance to anthracnose and ink disease, making it one of the better sweet chestnuts for gardens with damper conditions. However, it still dislikes waterlogged soil. The site must allow surplus water to drain away rather than remain around the roots. [1] [2] [5]
Marsol begins growing early in spring and its new shoots can be damaged by late frost. Avoid low-lying frost pockets, cold valley bottoms and positions where freezing air regularly collects. [2] [5]
Dig a planting hole no deeper than the root system but considerably wider. Position the first structural roots at approximately finished soil level, backfill carefully, firm gently and water thoroughly. Keep grass and weeds away from the root area, apply mulch without allowing it to touch the trunk and water during dry periods while the tree establishes. [6]
Other Interesting Information About Marsol Tree
Marsol, also known as CA07, is a natural hybrid between Japanese chestnut, Castanea crenata, and European sweet chestnut, Castanea sativa. It originated in the Ardèche region of France. [2]
Marsol is also widely used by professional chestnut growers as a rootstock. It is easy to propagate, works successfully with many chestnut varieties and has useful tolerance to ink disease. The tree sold here is grown for its own crop of edible nuts, but its importance as a rootstock shows why Marsol has remained a valuable commercial variety. [2] [5]
Gather the nuts promptly as they fall so they can be eaten, cooked or stored before squirrels and other wildlife find them. [1]
