Chestnut 'Di Coppi Marone'
This elegant, bell-shaped and long-lived tree has deeply-furrowed bark that spirals around the trunk, golden-brown autumn foliage and chartreuse-green burrs from which the prized nuts easily fall. The best roasting chestnut, this mid to late season chestnut is easy to peel and nuts feature a rich, sweet flavour. Fallen nuts should be harvested just two days after they drop from the tree in autumn for maximum flavour and freshness. Grown from seed, you will be rewarded with a harvest in a few short years.
Chestnuts are a fast growing and long lived tree, grown in areas that provide a hot Summer and cold Winter. They prefer a higher altitude, around 800 m above sea level with well drained soil to minimize root rot and will not tolerate alkaline soil. Plant two or more varieties to ensure well filled nut burrs. Seedlings may begin to produce fruit after 4 years. Enrich soil prior to planting with organic matter and all purpose slow release fertiliser. Although Chestnuts are drought tolerant once established, benefit from seasonal watering to ensure good nut size.