The Sweet Chestnut tree was introduced into this country in Roman times. It is a large broad-crowned tree, growing up to 30m high. It has a fissured grey, brown bark and the fissures often run spirally down the trunk.
The conspicuous yellow toned, obliquely erect catkins are 12 -30 cm long and open up in July.
The single-seeded fruits, up to 3 per cup are the familiar brown chestnuts, released when the prickly green cup splits into 2-4 lobes. The ripe fruits appear in July and are formed in good warm summers.
