Replies

1. 
   ohcomeon | Sep 26, 2005 05:17am | #1

   True American chestnuts are not rare so much as they typically don't get very big (as a result of the disease that nearly wiped them out).  Every now and then you'll find a good sized one, but usually they get to 20' or so and then start falling apart as a result of the disease.

   There are other trees such as Buckeyes and Chinkapins that get mistaken for chestnuts.  Buckeyes have a smooth husk, not the spiny one like you noted.  The Allegheny Chinkapin looks similar with furrowed bark and spiny husk.  One easy way to tell them apart is to open up the husk and see how many nuts are inside.  A chestnut will have 2-3 nuts, the Chinkapin only a single nut.  The chestnut is also larger (~2" vs. ~1" for the Chinkapin).

1. 
   vertis | Sep 26, 2005 06:23am | #3

   then it must be a chinkapin because as you said ,its spiny and has a single nut ,but I have to tell you this is large over 35'tall I will take some pics and let you see.thanks for the info.Pete.

1. 
   ohcomeon | Sep 26, 2005 04:40pm | #4

   Yeah, the size makes it also sound like a Allegheny chinkapin, though they apparently don't get a whole lot bigger than the chesnut since they are also affected by the same blight.

   Take a look at these two links, they will give you more info and you can compare the two:

   http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=21

   http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=24

   Edited 9/26/2005 9:46 am ET by ohcomeon

2. 
   beejay | Sep 26, 2005 06:23am | #2

   You probably have a chinese chestnut.  They are not as grand a tree as the castinea dentata was but they can be very prolific.  You don't want them hitting your head and you don't walk barefoot underneath them. 

   BJ

   Gardening, cooking and woodworking in South'n Murlyn'
3. 
   timberrattler | Sep 26, 2005 07:00pm | #5

   Pretty sure the tree your describing is a horse chestnut.

1. 
   trialnut | Sep 26, 2005 10:31pm | #6

   Very easy to tell the difference. American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) and Allegheny Chinkapin (Castanea pumila) both have a simple leaf with deeply sawtoothed  edges and no lobes. Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)has a palmately compound leaf, 5-7 leaflets, and is in the Buckeye family.

   The Professional Termite

   Edited 9/27/2005 9:47 am ET by trialnut

1. 
   vertis | Sep 29, 2005 07:39am | #7

   We may have a winner with that discription I will take some pics of it soon.thanks Pete.

4. 
   Steinmetz | Sep 29, 2005 11:53am | #8

   Vert, The truth is in the eating. Run a razor blade across the rounded sides to create an 'X'incision.

   Lay the flatter sides on a hot plate and roast away. If they are tasty and nutty/smokey flavored, wafting an irresistible aroma that stings your eyes, pack up the lot and ship those puppies to me.
   Steinmetx.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 9/29/2005 9:44 pm ET by Steinmetz

1. 
   vertis | Sep 30, 2005 04:14am | #9

   I dont want to deprive the neighbourhood squirls(I hope I spelt that correct)of there source of food but this is a very handsome tree I will include some photos soon to show you what I talking about.Hell I dont even know what the this type of timber looks like after its been milled I will keep you informed.Cheers.Pete.

1. 
   jackiechan | Sep 30, 2005 05:42am | #10

   "I dont even know what the this type of timber looks like after its been milled..."

   Castanea Dentata

   View ImageDan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.

1. 
   rich1107 | Sep 30, 2005 06:19am | #11

   Well if we are going to start flinging the Latin around, two can play at that game;)

   http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=21