Castanea sativa
Châtaigne
Châtaignier
Esskastanie
Séisskäscht
Sweet Chestnut

Size:
The chestnut is a medium-sized tree, up to 20 m tall, which can grow to be up to 1000 years old and reach diameters of over 7 m in suitable locations. The often twisted trunk is striking. 

Leaf: 
The chestnut leaves are long and lanceolate and strikingly sharp-toothed. The upper side of the leaf is glossy green.

Flower/Fruit: 
The male flowers appear in May as white catkins with their own fragrance. The female flowers on the same catkins are rather inconspicuous. From the end of October the spiny fruit capsules ripen, containing the brown edible chestnuts.

Wood: 
Chestnut wood is relatively light and hard. It looks similar to oak wood and is processed like it. In constant contact with earth and water it is very durable.

Trivia/Use: 
The chestnut is an extremely demanding tree species. In our latitudes, it needs a mild and humid viticultural climate. Less warmth is sufficient only for the growth of wood. Nevertheless, it is sensitive to frost and needs sunny locations. The chestnut was brought to our area by the Romans, presumably to grow stakes for viticulture in coppice forests.