Chestnut

Chestnut (Castanea sativa) is a deciduous tree from the napjesdragersfamilie (Fagaceae), native to the Mediterranean. The tree can reach a height of about 25-35 meters. Chestnut has a lifetime of about 500-1500 years. There is a famous chestnut who stands in the town of Sant'Alfio in Sicily (on the slopes of Mount Etna) and an estimated 2000-4000 years old.


In the Netherlands and Belgium, the feral tree and go on to old estates. He is here introduced by the Romans, who were fond of the fruit. Particularly in the southeast of Netherlands are pretty much older chestnuts to be found. Monumental copies are available at Beek-Ubbergen (in the Gnome Tree Kastanjedal), in Arnhem and in various locations in Limburg.


The fruit of the chestnut is a capsule (shell). The seeds (chestnuts) can, after the prickly husk is removed, roasted and eaten, in contrast to the toxic Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), which also in a completely different plant family, the soap tree family (Sapindaceae). Most chestnuts are found in October.


Easier than it is to roast the chestnuts to cook. It is difficult to hot, cooked chestnuts peel. In France people eat like chestnut purée (crème de marron). It is there canned sale.


The wood of the tree is excellent timber, it is similar in color and texture of oak. The specific gravity is slightly lower, but it has a high durability because much tannic acid in the (core) wood is. This will cause the wood in contact with iron. It is widely used for making fences.


His name has chestnut probably due to the Greek city Kastaneia in Pontus, a historical region on the coast of the Black Lake, where he was widely cultivated. The Romans changed its name to Castanea. The word means sativa cultivated, useful or satiating.




Source: http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamme_kastanje


See also: International Flower Delivery, Florist