Sweet chestnut - Castanea sativa

Taxonomy

Kingdom - Plantae

Subkingdom - Tracheobionta

Superdivision - Spermatophyta

Division - Magnoliophyta

Class - Magnoliopsida

Subclass - Hamamelididae

Order - Fagales

Family - Fagaceae

Genus - Castanea

Species - Castanea sativa

This tree is one of Kew's Heritage trees and is situated close to the Mediterranean Garden by the King William’s Temple, between the Palm and Temperate greenhouses. It can be recognised by it’s large canopy, distinctive spiky leaves (oblong-lanceolate toothed leaves as Alan Titchmarsh would call them), and ridged bark that curiously twists clockwise. The bole of the trunk is very gnarled and lumpy, due to the pollarding the tree has undergone in the past. This tree is believed to be the oldest tree in Kew gardens, possibly planted in the late 17th century, possibly early 18th century and is believed to be the remnant of an avenue of sweet chestnuts that lead to Richmond Lodge which was occupied by George II. They were very popular trees at that time, many being planted by Queen Charlotte’s designer, Charles Bridgeman. He also assisted in the designs at Blenheim Palace, and a garden at Marble Hill. He specialised in a less-rigid garden design being pursued in the Anglo-Dutch style than the formal styles of the day. Hence the avenue of sweet chestnuts, but the surrounding area would have been far less structured, probably not far off the layout of Kew gardens today. His avenues radiated from the Great Pagoda, starting with the Japanese Cypress, Juniper and Yew Avenues created in 1867 followed by Thorn Avenue in 1868, Cedar Vista in 1871 (which still survives today), Acacia Avenue in 1872, Holly Walk in 1874 (which also survives) and Sweet Chestnut Avenue in 1880. Remnants from the original avenues that have disappeared, or have been forgotten, still exist.

The sweet chestnut was probably introduced into the United Kingdom by the Romans, probably as a source of flour, created from the chestnuts. It has a variety of names being Spanish, Portuguese or European chestnut. It is of a medium height, at around 20-35m with a girth of around 2m. This specific plant is easily in excess of that. It is mostly recognised by its round sharply spiked lime-green nut cases. These contain any number of one to four nuts that are typically arched on one side and flat on the other. They are edible, being particularly popular at Christmas, either roasted or as a stuffing.

The chestnuts also have many other uses throughout Europe, including bread, flour, coffee substitute (used greatly during the wars) as well as confectionery and desserts. When pollarded, the wood is useful for fences and hurdles, being flexible and resistant to weathering. It is a light wood and when dried, is used for joinery and furniture, but has a tendency to split as it ages and dries out. Other traditional uses include barrels, chestnut paling fencing, flower trugs, walking canes, timber cladding and shingles.

There are other fine specimens of Sweet Chestnut throughout Kew, especially by the lake.