Castanea dentata (American chestnut)

Botanical name

Castanea dentata

Other names

American chestnut, American sweet chestnut

Genus

Castanea Castanea

Species

C. dentata - C. dentata is a vigorous, rounded, deciduous tree with deeply furrowed bark, pointed, oblong to lance-shaped, toothed, dull, mid-green leaves turning yellow in autumn. Catkins of small, fragrant, cream or pale yellow flowers in summer are followed by spiny, green fruit turning pale brown when ripe. Fruit contains edible nuts.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Rounded

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Colour

Flower

Cream, Pale-yellow in Summer

Foliage

Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Yellow in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Diseases

Susceptible to chestnut blight.

Specific diseases

Leaf spot , Phytophthora root diseases

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Propagation

Sow seed in a seedbed as soon as ripe.

Propagation methods

Grafting, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Castanea dentata (American chestnut) will reach a height of 20m and a spread of 20m after 20-50 Years.

Suggested uses

Drought Tolerant, Architectural, Specimen tree

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, neutral to acid soil in full sun. Avoid clay and chalky soil. Site away from building foundations with plenty of space to accommodate its mature size.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Castanea dentata (American chestnut)

Common pest name

Apple root knot nematode

Scientific pest name

Meloidogyne mali

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Unknown

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

UK (along with certain other European countries) received potentially infested trees in 1992; but these were destroyed at the end of the trial period and targeted surveillance has failed to find any trace of the nematode. Main impacts are on elm; apple and mulberry and industry should source such material carefully.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Castanea dentata (American chestnut)

Common pest name

Japanese swift moth

Scientific pest name

Endoclita excrescens

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous moth pest whose larvae feed off a range of herbaceous and woody hosts. Native to East Asia where substantial impacts have been observed; and current import requirements do not fully mitigate the risk of introduction. A PRA will help to assess the level of risk more fully.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Castanea dentata (American chestnut)

Common pest name

Black timber bark beetle; Smaller alnus bark beetle; tea root borer

Scientific pest name

Xylosandrus germanus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Ambrosia beetle affecting a wide range of trees and woody hosts. Widespread in Europe and elsewhere and now present in the south of England. Impacts can be reduced by good silvicultural practices. Surveillance is being carried out to better determine distribution.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/