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Sweet Chestnut Castanea Sativa aka Spanish Chestnut Options Explained. See Also Cheaper Bare Root Sweet Chestnut
90-150cm: 3-5L pot, 1-2 years old.
150-180cm: 9-12L pot, 2-3 years old, usually half standard.
180-240cm: 12-15L pot, 2-4 years old, usually half standard.
Sweet Chestnut Castanea Sativa aka Spanish Chestnut.
Sweet Chestnut Castanea Sativa is described as a majestic tree probably because it has a glorious crown, has roots reaching medieval times and is surrounded by nights.
A deciduous, fast-growing and long-lived tree, it is especially attractive in early summer when it bears long yellow catkins, tipped with flowers nicely contrasted by the twisting bark on mature trees. We mean mature as in chronological age, not emotional. An older tree still acting like a younger one e.g. playing in the rain and waving at cars, will still show the twisting bark. The younger tree will look like it has been moisturising and have smooth bark.
The spikey casing contains edible nuts that are ready in Autumn and are a real treat when roasted in an oven but not on stage having mean things said to them. These have been historically considered a staple food which is great if you have a hungry stapler and are a rich source of energy.
Considered a large tree, it can reach heights and widths of 35m x 8m with a 2m girth and records exist of 1000-year-old trees.
It is a good tree for coppicing and the tannin-rich wood is ideal for untreated outdoor use such as fence posts. Not so good for open fires due to it spitting.
Sweet Chestnut is a good tree for attracting wildlife to your garden. Don't expect to see a lion lazing under the branches but you can expect squirrels, birds and insects to be regular visitors.
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Planting Sweet Chestnut Castanea Sativa
Plant in most soils including chalk and best results will be had from moist soils but not wet. Avoid compacted soils, especially those with very heavy clay. Acid to neutral soil will give the best results.
Sweet Chestnut performs well in a mild climate but late frosts may affect crop yields.
Full sun is preferred but it will tolerate some partial shade.
Considered fully hardy to the UK so will survive minus 15 degrees centigrade but frosts when flowering will affect crop yield
Ornamental Tree Roots In The Shade e.g. Behind A Fence
It is more important that that foliage (posh term for leaves) receives the sunlight than the roots. So if the canopy of your ornamental tree can sunbathe but the bottom of your tree thinks there has been a nuclear winter then that is ok. You might want to ensure you have good drainage as water and no sun is the start of algae and other such issues.
Do I Need To Stake My Ornamental Tree?
Our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy.
