Planting a sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), also called sweet chestnut or real chestnut, can be worthwhile. But the development from a pure shade provider to a fruit supplier takes many years. Can the tree even manage to survive the local winters?
How hardy is the chestnut?
The sweet chestnut is also heresufficiently hardyThe tree species is assigned to climate zone 6 according to the USDA. This means that it can survive temperaturesup to -23.3 °C without damage and without protective measures. Nevertheless, the chestnut prefers a mild climate.
Why is a warm climate better for the chestnut?
Even in the cold regions of our country, a chestnut can be quite large and live for many decades. But in a harsh climate it produces fewer fruits or they are smaller. Even the best care cannot compensate for this disadvantage. So when it comes to agood chestnut harvest, the sweet chestnut is better off in the south of Germany than in the north. As a shade provider and eye-catcher, the sprawling tree is a good choice anywhere.
Don't I have to protect the chestnut from frost at all?
Older trees are well hardy and do not need any protection at all. If you have replanted a sweet chestnut, things look completely different. Ayoung treeis more sensitive to frost and has yet to develop its winter hardiness. The roots in particular should receive winter protection in the first few years of growth. Athick layer of leaves is ideal The trunk can be wrapped with fleece.
Which location is optimal for a chestnut?
The sweet chestnut, which is widespread in southern Europe, feels at home with us if it finds the following conditions at its location:
- lots of light and warmth
- mild Weibau climate
- Protection from harsh winds
- permeable, humus-rich soil
- sufficient moisture in the soil
- slightly acidic pH value
Is the horse chestnut also one of the hardy varieties?
The horse chestnut that is widespread in our country ishardy. However, despite the clear similarity of the fruits, the horse chestnut isnot related to the sweet chestnut. Their fruits are also not edible for us humans.
My chestnut is not bearing fruit, is it too cold for it?
If your tree doesn't bear any fruit at all, there are probably other reasons. Almost all chestnut varietiesrequire a second tree as a pollinator. In addition, trees that have not been grafted do not bear fruit until they are around 15 years old.
Tip
You can propagate chestnuts inexpensively from one fruit
Are you a patient gardener and still have unused space in your garden? Then try growing a chestnut tree yourself from a chestnut.
