Marron de Lyon Sweet Chestnut Tree
Marron de Lyon is a traditional French sweet chestnut valued for its high-quality nuts, early bearing and relatively restrained growth.The tree is upright and compact, and specialist French records describe medium vigour. The medium to large, glossy chestnut-red nuts normally ripen from late September and are suitable for eating, roasting and cooking. [1] [2]Its shiny chestnut-red nuts keep reasonably well and are useful for eating, roasting, cooking and preserving
Marron de Lyon is more manageable than vigorous varieties such as Marigoule and Marhlac, but compact means compact for a sweet chestnut rather than genuinely dwarf. It should still be given plenty of room to develop into a substantial tree. [1] [2]
Pollination: Marron de Lyon produces very little pollen, so plant it with a compatible pollen-producing sweet chestnut for dependable cropping. French specialist records recommend Précoce Migoule or Bournette, while Frank P Matthews specifically states that Belle Epine can pollinate Marron de Lyon. Belle Epine is therefore the clearest partner available within the Trees Online range. [2] [3]
Planting Marron de Lyon Sweet Chestnut Tree
Choose a spacious position in full sun with freely draining, acid-to-neutral soil. Lighter loam or sandy soils are particularly suitable. Avoid chalky, alkaline ground and places that remain waterlogged. Marron de Lyon breaks into growth relatively late, which may reduce its exposure to late spring frost compared with earlier-growing chestnut varieties. [1] [2] [4]
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. [5]
Other Interesting Information About Marron de Lyon Tree
Marron de Lyon is a cultivar of European sweet chestnut, Castanea sativa, originating in France. It begins producing nuts relatively quickly and has medium-to-good productivity once established. Specialist records also describe it as relatively resistant to chestnut leaf rust. [1] [2]
Although sold under the traditional name Marron de Lyon, specialist records show that some kernels contain more internal partitioning than is permitted under the strict commercial definition of a marron. This does not affect their usefulness as eating and cooking chestnuts. Gather the nuts promptly as they fall to reduce losses to squirrels and other wildlife. [1] [2]
