European Chestnut, Sweet chestnut, Spanish chestnut

Where does European Chestnut grow?

Found in: Africa, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Chile, China, Cuba, East Africa, Europe, Falklands, France, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Russia, San Marino, SE Asia, Serbia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, United States, West Indies, Yugoslavia

Notes: All Castanea bear edible nuts. There are about 12 Castanea species.

Status: Seeds have been introduced into Papua New Guinea for growing trials only

Growing European Chestnut, Sweet chestnut, Spanish chestnut

Cultivation: Trees are mostly grown from seeds, but it is better to use grafted trees onto chestnut seedlings. Trees can be grown from cuttings. They can also be grown by layering. Seeds should be from cross pollinated trees and should be stored in a refrigerator at just below freezing for several months to break the dormancy, before planting. Some trees need to be cross pollinated, but some kinds will self between male and female flowers on the one tree. Pollination is by wind so trees should be near each other. Normally trees are trained to have a single trunk with at least 1.5 m to the lowest branch.

Edible Uses: The kernel of the nuts is eaten boiled or roasted. They are also slowly dried then ground and made into porridge. The flour can be used for breads, puddings or used to thicken soups. The roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute. Sugar can be extracted from the nuts.

Production: This is the fastest growing of the chestnuts. Trees can live for centuries. Seedling trees can bear after 3-10 years. Up to 100 kg of nuts can be produced per year. There is little seasonal fluctuation in nut production. The nuts fall naturally. The nuts need to be partly dried to improve the taste and stop rots. The nuts can be stored in closed boxes, with newspaper to absorb the moisture. If kept cool they will store for 6 months. Kernels can be kept for much longer if cooked and frozen. To do this the nut is placed in boiling water for 2 minutes then peeled and cooled and frozen.

Nutrition Info

European Chestnut, Sweet chestnut, Spanish chestnut Photos

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