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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Seed - raw or cooked[1][2][3]. A good potato substitute[4][5][6][7]. A source of starch[8]. Very poor flavour[6]. Coarse and of little value. Very variable in size and quality, any astringency can be removed by boiling the seed in salty water[9].

Material uses

The bark, leaves, wood and seed husks all contain tannin. Wood - hard, strong, light, very durable. Used for furniture, construction, fence posts etc[2][3].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Castanea crenata.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - where possible sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in a seed bed outdoors[10]. The seed must be protected from mice and squirrels. The seed has a short viability and must not be allowed to become dry. It can be stored in a cool place, such as the salad compartment of a fridge, for a few months if it is kept moist, but check regularly for signs of germination. The seed should germinate in late winter or early spring. If sown in an outdoor seedbed, the plants can be left in situ for 1 - 2 years before planting them out in their permanent positions. If grown in pots, the plants can be put out into their permanent positions in the summer or autumn, making sure to give them some protection from the cold in their first winter[K].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Castanea crenata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a good well-drained slightly acid loam but succeeds in dry soils[1][11][12]. Once established, it is very drought tolerant[1][11][12]. Very tolerant of highly acid, infertile dry sands[12]. Averse to calcareous soils but succeeds on harder limestones[11][12].

The majority of species in this genus only really thrive in areas with hot summers, though this species is better adapted to British conditions than most[12]. Cultivated for its edible seed in Japan, there are many named varieties[13][4][9]. It is often also cultivated for its seed in America because it is fairly resistant to chestnut blight[7][12]. Individual trees are very variable with regard to size of the seed, resistance to blight and astringency of the seed[9]. Some cultivars have the largest seeds of any member of this genus. Trees fruit freely when only 3 - 3.5 metres tall[11]. This species is occasionally planted as a timber tree in S. Europe[14]. An excellent soil-enriching understorey in pine forests[12]. Flowers are produced on wood of the current year's growth[15]. Plants are fairly self-sterile[12]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[12].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[12].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Castanea crenata. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Castanea crenata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Castanea crenata
Genus
Castanea
Family
Fagaceae
Imported References
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
Life Cycle
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
9 x meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type

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References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.2 Howes. F. N. Nuts. Faber (1948-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.2 Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press ISBN 0-12-136450-x (1975-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  10. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  12. ? 12.0012.0112.0212.0312.0412.0512.0612.0712.0812.0912.10 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.1 Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)
  14. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)
  15. ? Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)

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