Probably everyone knows a popular quote from the cult series that the best chestnuts are in Pigalle Square. It turns out, however, that also in our country, not so distant from France, these wonderful plants grow and bear fruit equally well. In forgotten gardens and parks, you can often find trees that are at least a hundred years old, but still in excellent condition and bearing fruit. This is a good proof that we can successfully cultivate this species in Poland.
Chestnut Castanea sativa, because that is its proper name,comes from southern Europe and Asia and has nothing to do with the popular chestnut, or rather a chestnut tree grown as an ornamental plant.Even in our country, the edible chestnut is one of the most rapidly growing trees that bears tasty fruit. The height of adult specimens reaches 15-20 meters. In addition to providing delicious fruit in the fall, the ornamental value of these trees is also important. Above all, their leaves are remarkable: leathery, very long and serrated, they turn golden in autumn beautifully. The crown is equally interesting, and after a few years it takes on a majestic, spreading shape.
If you want to have a chestnut tree in your garden, the easiest way is to buy a seedling in reputable tree and shrub nurseries. You can also try sowing chestnut seeds yourself. Note - however, they should not be seeds bought in stores or supermarkets. The nuts, shelled from the green cover, most often come from warmer regions of Europe. Plants grown from such seeds from France, Italy or Greece will not grow well in Poland, due to their insufficient frost resistance.It is better to look for varieties in parks and old gardens that can withstand harsh winters.
In November, a lot of seeds lie under the chestnut trees.They can be sown immediately into the ground, so that they go through the process of maturation to germination during the winter. Some seeds will sprout in spring, but some may not emerge until the following year. The seedlings grow quite quickly and after two years they can already be planted in a permanent place. At first glance, the green and spiky fruit that has fallen from the trees do not make a very good impression. However, two, sometimes three seeds are usually hidden under the prickly casing. When the fruit is ripe, the green shell breaks by itself and there is no problem with husking the seeds. The center of the seed is white and firm, and the thin skin is brown.
The fruit can be eaten raw after removing the hard skin. The best, however, are baked chestnuts. For this purpose, the fruit is pricked or incised and placed in a hot oven for about 20-30 minutes.They can also be baked in the ash from the fire. The baked chestnuts have a sweet, floury taste. The best ones are just taken out of the oven while they are still warm.
Tree requiring space
Chestnut will grow well in any garden. Remember, however, that it is an exceptionally fast growing tree. When planting a chestnut tree, we must provide it with adequate space for growth. The best places are sunny, warm and sheltered from winds due to high sensitivity to both frost and spring frosts.
