Chestnut ( Castanea sativa )
Height : 4 m to 20 m included
Origin : South-eastern Europe, Western Asia
Environment : hills and low mountains forests, on neutral
or slightly acidic soils
Climate : cool, temperate; moderately humid
The Chestnut used to be the main crop in Europe during Ancient and Middle Age times. Chestnut flour was used to make bread, which fed many generations of poor Europeans. The timber was much appreciated. Chestnuts were diffused all over Europe by the Romans. In recent times Chestnuts have become rarer because of the advent of American cereals and of other timber species. In Southern Europe Chestnuts grow in pure standings or mixed with the Downy Oak.