Sweet Chestnut Tree
Castanea sativa
- Produces clusters of good sized kernels from approximately its third year of planting.
- Can be maintained at approximately 12 feet (4 metres) tall.
- Self Sterile.
Supplied as a containerised tree pruned to approximately 15" (40 cm) tall including pot.
This Product is Available Now.GBP1 or more £14.95 each
Description
Sweet Chestnuts are not quite the British tradition we all think of them as; they actually originate from the Mediterranean and were first brough to England by the Romans who loved them.
We now simply sell the species of Sweet Chestnut - as you would find growing in Ancient Woodlands accross the UK. Importation of the 'more exotic' varieties from Europe is now very heavily controlled due to the threat of Chestnut Blight and Oriental Chestnut Gall Wasp being bought into the UK. Our trees are, of course, grown here in Kent.
These will grow to around 30 - 40 feet (10 metres) tall with a spread of 18 feet (5.5 metres) in approximately 50 years if left to there own devices. If you plan to control the size of your tree, prune each Autumn / Winter to maintain a height of around 12 feet or so; a root control bag will assist with reducing the vigour but is not entirely essential.
If you are lucky enough to have plenty of room consider growing a small coppice area which will not only provide nuts but also an invaluable source of timber for firewood or projects in the garden (naturally full of lignin the timber is hard and durable). To manage sweet chestnut as a coppice simply cut down every eight years or so leaving a stump of around 12" - 18" (30 - 45 cm).
Caution! If you're roasting the nuts (especially on an open fire) do make sure you prick them first otherwise they will explode and fly across the room with spectacular results!
- Self Sterile - plant several trees to ensure good pollination and nut production.
Pricing
This Product is Available Now.
How To...
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Detailed advice on planting fruit and nut trees - including advice on container growing, pruning and training, and advice on specific varieties.
How To Videos
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General Information
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Information on fruit tree fertility, pollination and compatibility, with simple explanations of regularly used terms.
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