Japanese name: クリ（栗） Scientific name:Castanea crenata
[Overview]
A deciduous tree 15–20 m tall, very common in mountains and fields.
The trunk is erect, and on large trees the bark is deeply fissured lengthwise.
The branches divide well and form a large crown.
The leaves are alternate, with petioles 5–15 mm long, and are narrowly oblong, 7–14 cm long. They have 16–23 pairs of lateral veins and needle-like teeth.
There are male and female flowers; many male flowers are borne on catkins from the leaf axils, and 1–2 female inflorescences are borne at the base of those catkins.
The male inflorescences are pale yellow and give off a distinctive smell that attracts many insects.
The female inflorescences bear 2–3 female flowers, enclosed in an involucre covered with many green scales.
Sharp spines about 1 cm long grow from the axils of the scales and form the chestnut bur.
[History]
It is one of the oldest cultivated plants, and its fruits have been excavated from Jomon period sites. There are many cultivars.
[Uses]
The nuts, enclosed in burs, are eaten.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by grafting or cuttings.
It prefers acidic soil that is sunny, fertile, deep enough for roots to extend, and has good drainage and water retention.
It dies easily if the site is poorly lit.
Pests and diseases are relatively numerous, so care is needed.
[Notes]
The Japanese name is said to be a change from kuromi (black fruit).
