How long does a sweet chestnut tree take to grow?

Sweet chestnut is a fast-growing broadleaf that coppices very well with short rotation times – typically 12-16 years. Production stands are traditionally managed in this way to produce a diverse range of woodland products and, unlike most broadleaved species, can be used profitably from a very early age.

Where do sweet chestnut trees grow?

Sweet chestnut is native to southern Europe, western Asia and North Africa.

What time of year do you plant chestnuts?

The chestnuts will require a minimum of two to three months of cold before they will germinate. After cold storage the chestnuts can be planted indoors around February and March. Seeds should be placed on a warm, sunny window sill or in a greenhouse with a temperature of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do squirrels eat sweet chestnuts?

Grey squirrels are almost exclusively herbivorous. They eat acorns, hazel nuts, sweet chestnuts, pine nuts, walnuts, berries, fungi, grains, vegetables, buds and shoots, bark and peanuts from bird feeders. Squirrels will hoard nuts and seeds in preparation for winter, gathering them and burying them in caches all over.

How do you propagate sweet chestnuts?

Direct seeding is the easiest way to do chestnut tree propagation. Up to 90% of the seeds germinate. Use healthy nuts from a mature tree over 10 years old and plant them in the spring in a sunny site with well-draining soil. However, this is not the only way to grow new chestnuts.

Are sweet chestnuts poisonous to dogs?

Unlike conkers, sweet chestnuts are non-toxic for humans and dogs.

What kind of soil do sweet chestnuts need?

Sweet chestnuts grow best in full sun, in a well-drained fertile, deep soil. The tree will not fruit in shade. Always plant your fruit tree so that the grafting union is above the level of the soil. Dig a hole large enough to comfortably accommodate the depth and size of the roots and water in well after planting.

What’s the best way to grow a chestnut tree?

Dig a hole large enough to comfortably accommodate the depth and size of the roots and water in well after planting. Remove any vegetation around the base of the tree and mulch well, to help keep in the moisture and discourage weeds, etc, growing and competing with the young tree.

When do sweet chestnut trees start to flower?

Remove any vegetation around the base of the tree and mulch well, to help keep in the moisture and discourage weeds, etc, growing and competing with the young tree. Sweet chestnuts flower June–July, when long catkins (both male and female) appear. The female flowers grow into the spiny green fruit containing one–three edible nuts.

Where can I buy a sweet chestnut tree?

Purchase your tree from a reputable supplier. Be sure to buy a sweet (edible) chestnut, rather than a horse chestnut, from a reputable supplier. Bear in mind that not all varieties are self-fertile and that most varieties will eventually mature into a very large tree.