Tree Records
Castanea sativa
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Sweet Chestnut Records
One of the largest specimens of Castanea sativa can be found growing in Cowdray Park, West Sussex. This individual has been given the rather apt name ‘Cowdray Colossus’. (February, 2018).
Castanea sativa (sweet chestnut) is a tree well known for its roast chestnuts, but it also makes a beautiful specimen tree. It can grow enormous with time, with one known as the Cranford Chestnut, growing at Cranford School in Dorset is reported to be one of the widest trees in Britain. Castanea sativa grows best where summers are warmest, but it is found growing all over the UK, with some large individuals even being found as far north as the highlands of Scotland. Castle Leod, in the highlands is home to a remarkably large Castanea sativa for its latitude.
A lot of fine specimens of Castanea sativa can be found growing in large parklands of southern England, such as in Petworth Park and Cowdray Park in West Sussex.
A very large Castanea sativa growing in Petworth Park, West Sussex. It’s so large and old that is possibly one of the original trees planted by Capability Brown during the construction of the park. (February, 2021).
Mature Castanea sativa at Petworth Park, West Sussex. (August, 2019).
The massive trunk of a mature Castanea sativa at Petworth Park, West Sussex. (January, 2022).