Castanea

The genus Chestnut (Castanea) consists of 12 species of deciduous trees, rarely shrubs. The most common type - chestnut seed, or edible, or real (Castanea sativa), is a valuable fruit and ornamental tree species. Straight slender trunk with dark gray bark (brown in young plants) with transverse cracks; smooth branches with large linear-lanceolate sharp-toothed leaves, veins - protruding. Monoecious plants with dioecious flowers collected in spike-shaped inflorescences. Males are collected in axillary erect cream-white catkins (inflorescences that consist of numerous sessile flowers), and females are formed singly or in groups. at the ends of the current year's branches. The fruit is a nut, the so-called chestnut, 1-3 in a closed prickly cupula. The kernel is powdery, sweet, with a high starch content. Blooms after the leaves open. Usually, the tree lives for a very long time, partly due to the shoot-forming roots that give new growth. It bears fruit from 5-10 years. There are decorative forms of chestnut, for example, "White-capped", which has leaves with a creamy white edge; 'Dark-edged' with a yellow edge of the leaf plate; 'Dissimilar' with leaves of various shapes. As fruit trees, varieties are grown: 'Marron de Lyon', or 'Large-fetus', 'Marrone di Cuneo', 'Carrara', 'Pistoia'. Other species, such as the city chestnut (C. crenata), which is of Japanese origin, and the softest chestnut (C. mollisima), which is a Chinese chestnut, are used as rootstocks that are resistant to environmental pollution. Some hybrids are also appreciated, for example, chestnut Castanea x 'Maricuole', a beautiful lush plant; Castanea x 'Maraval', it can be grown in shallow soil.

The genus Chestnut (Castanea) consists of 12 species of deciduous trees, rarely shrubs.

The most common type - chestnut seed, or edible, or real (Castanea sativa), is a valuable fruit and ornamental tree species. Straight slender trunk with dark gray bark (brown in young plants) with transverse cracks; smooth branches with large linear-lanceolate sharp-toothed leaves, veins - protruding. Monoecious plants with dioecious flowers collected in spike-shaped inflorescences. Males are collected in axillary erect cream-white catkins (inflorescences that consist of numerous sessile flowers), and females are formed singly or in groups. at the ends of the current year's branches. The fruit is a nut, the so-called chestnut, 1-3 in a closed prickly cupula. The kernel is powdery, sweet, with a high starch content. Blooms after the leaves open. Usually, the tree lives for a very long time, partly due to the shoot-forming roots that give new growth. It bears fruit from 5-10 years.

There are decorative forms of chestnut, for example, "White-capped", which has leaves with a creamy white edge; 'Dark-edged' with a yellow edge of the leaf plate; 'Dissimilar' with leaves of various shapes.

As fruit trees, varieties are grown: 'Marron de Lyon', or 'Large-fetus', 'Marrone di Cuneo', 'Carrara', 'Pistoia'.

Other species, such as the city chestnut (C. crenata), which is of Japanese origin, and the softest chestnut (C. mollisima), which is a Chinese chestnut, are used as rootstocks that are resistant to environmental pollution.

Some hybrids are also appreciated, for example, chestnut Castanea x 'Maricuole', a beautiful lush plant; Castanea x 'Maraval', it can be grown in shallow soil.

Cultivation

Chestnuts are mainly cultivated as fruit trees. For decorative purposes, cultivation is possible only on large areas and in certain climatic conditions. Chestnuts are planted in the ground in a permanent place in the spring. Deep, fertile, slightly acidic soil is preferred. The plant does not tolerate calcareous, dry and swampy soils. Pruning should be minimal (only removing dry or damaged branches), as the natural shape of the crown is extremely beautiful, and wounds on the bark of the tree heal with difficulty. When pruning branches, it is recommended to use special mastics (the so-called artificial bark), which provide protection from water, air and pests.

Chestnuts are mainly cultivated as fruit trees. For decorative purposes, cultivation is possible only on large areas and in certain climatic conditions.

Chestnuts are planted in the ground in a permanent place in the spring. Deep, fertile, slightly acidic soil is preferred. The plant does not tolerate calcareous, dry and swampy soils. Pruning should be minimal (only removing dry or damaged branches), as the natural shape of the crown is extremely beautiful, and wounds on the bark of the tree heal with difficulty. When pruning branches, it is recommended to use special mastics (the so-called artificial bark), which provide protection from water, air and pests.

Location

Chestnuts prefer a place in the open sun.

Temperature

Chestnut is a stable tree, although it does not like extreme conditions in both winter and summer. In general, it is a thermophilic breed, growing naturally in humid coastal climates, especially on shaded mountain slopes, on fertile and moist soils.

Watering

It is necessary for young plants after planting in a permanent place, fruit trees and during periods of drought.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds, well renewed by mature growth. When the growth forms its own root system, young plants are separated from the mother plant in autumn or late winter and immediately planted. The most reliable method of reproduction is grafting to the city chestnut or the softest chestnut, which are not susceptible to ink disease. Forms that are resistant to root and trunk cancer were also developed. During the growing season, you can use eye grafting, and at rest (end of winter) graft method for the bark or in the cleft.

Diseases

The so-called ink chestnut disease is caused by Phytophthora cambivora and provokes the appearance of necrosis on the root neck, after which the plant dies. Endotia parasitica is the causative agent of chestnut cancer; in this disease, the bark cracks, then, peeling off, falls off, as a result of which individual parts of the plant dry up. Diseases are recommended to be prevented in advance by grafting decorative forms to stable rootstocks.

Acquisition

Chestnut seedlings are quite easy to find in nurseries specializing in fruit and ornamental plants, or in well-established gardening centers. Buy specimens grafted on disease-resistant rootstock: make sure that there are no necrosis (dead parts) on the branches and shoots.

It is good because of the fruits and wood Chestnut fruits are used for food in raw and processed form. The fruits are picked in the fall, when they themselves fall down to the ground. Chestnut wood is very strong, resistant to rot, almost does not crack and does not warp. It is widely used in shipbuilding, furniture manufacturing, and musical instruments. All parts of the plant contain tannins used for tanning leather. Chestnut is also a good honey crop.

It is good because of the fruits and wood

Chestnut fruits are used for food in raw and processed form. The fruits are picked in the fall, when they themselves fall down to the ground. Chestnut wood is very strong, resistant to rot, almost does not crack and does not warp. It is widely used in shipbuilding, furniture manufacturing, and musical instruments. All parts of the plant contain tannins used for tanning leather. Chestnut is also a good honey crop.