Sweet Chestnut

Castanea sativa

Hardy Perennial

£34.99

Handsome foliage

Varied seasonal interest

Excellent for coppicing and woodland crafts

Delivery Information View Product Description

Description How to Grow More Info Delivery

Sweet chestnut is a versatile and handsome tree, packed with interest throughout the seasons and a providing valuable habitat for wildlife. Mature specimens can grow up to 35m and make magnificent subjects for large gardens, but with regular pruning, there is also a place for them in smaller gardens – as screening or hedging plants. They are also fantastic trees for coppicing, yielding sweet chestnut poles that can be used for fencing and woodland crafts. Sweet chestnuts have distinctive and handsome foliage – with glossy leaves 16-28cm long that bear strongly serrated margins. The leaves transition to yellow in autumn. Long yellow catkins appear in spring, and on mature trees, they are followed by spiky cases containing shiny, red-brown fruits. The grey-purple bark develops characteristic fissures with age that spiral upwards. Sweet chestnut flowers provide nectar and pollen for insects, whilst squirrels and other mammals feast on the nuts.

Height and spread after 10 years: 5m (16ft). Mature height and spread: 20m + (65ft).

Please note: This Sweet Chesnut cannot self pollinate – two trees are required for pollination.

The height and spread of the plant delivered will vary depending on the season, meaning arrival images are an indication only.

Plant Size Height Up to 20m (65ft)
Spread Up to 20m (65ft)

Hardiness & Longevity Hardy Perennial

Position In full sun

Flowering Months Harvest Months

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Codes
1 x 5 Litre Potted Plant (1.2m Tall) (KF8587)

Grow in sandy, well-drained acidic soil. Sweet Chestnuts will not succeed in heavy clays or waterlogged ground. Choose a site in full sun which is sheltered from the prevailing wind. Stake the tree on planting. Water it well during the first year, mulch around the base of the tree and remove all competing weeds and grass around the tree allowing at least 1m diameter to remain clear. Trees are drought resistant once established but care should be taken whilst the tree is young to water it during especially dry periods. Please note: This Sweet Chesnut cannot self pollinate – two trees are required for pollination.

Nut trees do not suffer weed competition well, so keep weeds and grass clear from the of base of the hedge. Water young plants during particularly dry periods until fully established. In spring, apply a mulch of well rotted manure or garden compost to the base of the hedge. This will help to retain moisture throughout the summer.

Seeds and garden supplies will normally be delivered within the time period stated against each product as detailed above. Plants, bulbs, corms, tubers, shrubs, trees, potatoes, etc. are delivered at the appropriate time for planting or potting on. Delivery times will be stated on the product page above, or in your order acknowledgement page and email.

Orders for packets of seed incur a delivery charge of £2.99.

Orders which include any other products will incur a delivery charge of £6.99.

Where an order includes both packets of seeds and other products, a maximum delivery charge of £7.99 will apply - regardless of the number of items ordered.

Large items may incur a higher delivery charge - this will be displayed in your shopping basket.

Please see our Delivery page for further details, and more information on different charges that may apply to certain destinations.

For more information on how we send your plants please visit our Helpful Guide on plant sizes.