American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata)

Alternative Names

Latin (scientific) name: Castanea dentata

Common English name: American chestnut

French name: Châtaignier d’Amérique

Other Information

Tree Type: Deciduous; Edible Fruit/Nut Tree

Habitat: Exists on well-drained, acidic sites with other broadleaf trees.

Hardiness Zones: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Description

The American Chestnut was a very popular tree in Southern Ontario until the blight disease. It is now considered to be a very rare tree. Prior to the disease, the tree grew up to 35 meters tall; however, most trees since have only grown to about 10 meters tall.

Leaves are yellow-green, smooth and oblong, and are 15-28 cm long. It has straight veins and end in bristle-tipped teeth.

Its large, brown chestnuts are green with a prickly husk. They mature in Autumn.

Young bark is dark brown and smooth, while mature bark has broad ridges.

Its twigs are shiny red-brown with green-grown, hairless buds.

Sources: Tree Canada and Tree Bee