Origin: Southeast Europe. Castanea sativa, Sweet chestnut / Spanish chestnut, is a rising tree with a very wide crown, with a height up to 30 m. Short, heavy trunk that often swirls around its own axis as a result of which the bark grooves also revolve around the trunk. Shiny bright green, long leaf, 10-20 cm. Flowers in June with large bunches of upright cream-white catkins. Fruits are edible. Prickly husk with 2-3 sweet chestnuts.
Requires open, airy, fertile soil that is not too moist, but still has good permeability. Endures shade but flowers better in sunny warm locations. Beautiful park tree.