In summer, chestnuts have characteristic long, creamy-white flowering catkins. Chestnut Tree IdentificationĬhestnut trees are recognized by their long, pointed, canoe-shaped leaves with coarsely serrated margins. These hybrids are a cross between the American chestnut ( Castanea dentata) and Chinese chestnut ( Castanea mollissima) or Japanese chestnut ( Castanea crenata) trees, both of which are resistant to chestnut blight. To prevent chestnut blight from affecting trees, hybrid chestnut trees resistant to the blight have been developed. Chestnut blight can affect the whole tree, eventually killing it. The fungus can affect nearby trees as the wind carries the spores. Chestnut blight causes cankers to appear that reveal an orangey bark underneath. Chestnut Tree LeavesĬhestnut blight ( Cryphonectria parasitica) is a parasitic fungus that can infect trees, especially the American chestnut ( Castanea dentata) species. You will also find out the difference between horse chestnut trees and edible chestnuts. Descriptions and pictures of chestnut leaves, flowers, and fruit will help identify these impressive deciduous trees. This article is a guide to identifying chestnut trees. Chestnut trees perform best in full sun and loamy, well-draining soil. The flowering trees mostly grow in temperate regions of the world in USDA zones 5 to 7. Species of chestnut trees belong to the genus Castanea and the beech family Fagaceae. In open landscapes, chestnuts can be some of the largest and most impressive trees you will see. However, chestnut trees are fast-growing trees that mature at between 60 ft. Chestnut trees have a straight, broad trunk with deeply furrowed bark and a large spreading rounded canopy.Ĭhestnut trees are comparable to oak trees in terms of height, strength, and beauty. Chestnuts are easily identifiable due to the spiky burs growing in clusters and containing the fruit-a brown-shelled nut encasing creamy-white flesh. Email Pinterest Facebook Twitter LinkedinĬhestnut trees are large deciduous trees with large, pointed leaves, long, finger-like flower clusters, and brown edible nuts.

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