Castanea mollissima?

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by wcutler, Aug 8, 2013.

  1. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

    Messages:
    11,085
    Likes Received:
    2,403
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    I just assumed this was Castanea sativa because, you know, every chestnut I post as something else turns out to be C. sativa. But today I met the homeowner, who planted the tree, he doesn't remember when but some time after he moved there in 1960. He told me it's Chinese Chestnut, which would be Castanea mollissima. That's supposed to have coarsely-toothed leaves with hairs, at least on the young leaves. Or small fuzzy leaves, which isn't all that convincing here. The largest leaves were about the size of my (fairly large) hand.

    Photos from July 17
    20130717_Heather24th_Castanea_Cutler_P1500660.jpg 20130717_Heather24th_Castanea_Cutler_P1500663.jpg 20130717_Heather24th_Castanea_Cutler_P1500665.jpg

    and today, August 8.
    20130808_24thHeather_CastaneaMollissima_Cutler_P1510663c.jpg 20130808_24thHeather_CastaneaMollissima_Cutler_P1510673.jpg

    The walnut trees the owner bought at the same time were not the species he was told they were, so I'm just checking whether this tree is really Castanea mollissima. Thanks.
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

    Messages:
    21,396
    Likes Received:
    844
    Location:
    Not here
    Crown and leaf shape generally correct. If hairiness does not seem right remember that hybrid chestnuts involving multiple species are grown. Unless very few of these are present there you are not going to be able to get every specimen encountered to fit one of the three primary species.
     
  3. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

    Messages:
    11,559
    Likes Received:
    574
    Location:
    Britain zone 8/9
    White tomentose underside of the leaves also fits.
     
  4. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

    Messages:
    11,085
    Likes Received:
    2,403
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    Thanks, Ron and Michael. It's a nice tree, with a lot of (edible) nuts coming along. I see that this species is particularly blight resistant and therefore used in cross-breeding with American Chestnut.
     
  5. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

    Messages:
    21,396
    Likes Received:
    844
    Location:
    Not here
    I get the impression pretty much all the main species have been crossed, including the Japanese.
     

Share This Page