Sweet chestnut
Castanea sativa
Sweet chestnut is found commonly throughout the UK in woods and copses, especially in parts of southern England. It belongs to the same family as oaks and beeches. The bark is grey-purple and smooth and develops vertical fissures with age. The twigs are purple-brown and buds are red-brown and oval in shape. The trees begin to bear fruit - shiny, red-brown fruits wrapped in a green, spiky case - when they are around 25 years old. Trunks can grow up to 2m in diameter.
Sweet chestnut estimated full grown height:
Up to 35m
Purchase size and growth:
These trees are cell-grown saplings, ranging from approximately 15cm-60cm in height. Cell grown trees can be planted all year round in most situations as long as they are given the correct care. Please be aware that depending upon the time of year you receive your sapling (particularly early spring) it may not look very perky upon arrival, please do not worry once it has been planted it should pick up quickly.
Value to wildlife:
The flowers provide an important source of nectar and pollen for bees and other insects, while red squirrels eat the nuts. A large number of micro-moths feed on the leaves and nuts.
Sweet chestnut preferred soil type or environmental conditions:
Prefers sun and well-drained soil - the tree won’t fruit in shade.
UK and Ireland sourced and grown (UKISG):
Every sapling that we provide is UK and Ireland sourced and grown to minimise the risk of importing and spreading tree pests and diseases. Seeds are collected and stored in the UK, and they are all coded and batched so that we can track each individual tree.
More information about this tree is available here.
The images in this product listing show the saplings bundled and wrapped. This plastic wrap is made from LDPE (low-density polyethylene) and is 100% recyclable, we encourage users to recycle them when you are ready to plant your trees.
