Castanea sativa (European Chestnut)

Castanea sativa (European Chestnut) is a large vigorous deciduous tree of pyramidal-rounded to broad-columnar habit with a large trunk, up to 7 ft. (210 cm) and a canopy of glossy, serrate, oblong-lanceolate leaves, 6-10 in. long (15-25 cm). They turn brilliant golden yellow in the fall. In early to midsummer, clusters of yellow-green catkins are on display. The female flowers give way to prickly husks, each containing 3-7 brownish nuts which fall from the tree in the fall. These are the excellent nuts sold in markets. European Chestnut is resistant to oak root fungus but is not as resistant to chestnut blight as the Chinese Chestnut (Castanea mollissima). A beautiful specimen shade tree for lawns. Keep in mind that falling chestnuts may pose a litter problem if not harvested.

• Grows up to 80-100 ft. tall (24-30 m) and 30-50 ft. wide (9-15 m).
• Performs best in moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Drought tolerant once established.
• Generally pest free. Keep an eye out for chestnut blight, leaf spot, anthracnose, and twig and stem cankers. Deer resistant.
• Propagate by seed or grafting
• Native to Western Asia, and southeastern Europe.