Castanea sativa — Sweet Chestnut

A widespread naturalized tree, except on chalk, originally introduced from southern Europe by the Romans.

The leaves are long and have large spined teeth. The buds are rounded. The flowers appear in long stiff sprays in summer. The fruit are sometimes confused with those of Horse Chestnut, but are much more densely spined. The edible nuts are rarely large enough to roast well, though the hot summer in 2006 led to a superb crop. The bark is highly distinctive, as is the way it tends to twist round the tree.

 
 

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Copyright © 2007 Philip Brassett