I want to grow my own chestnuts.

hardpressed

How long does it take for a sweet chestnut tree to bear fruit? I'd love to be able to grow my own but does it take years?

foxgloves

I don't really know the answer to this question, but as someone who likes to go chestnutting in the autumn, I can say that the trees seem to be really big and perhaps more suited to woods & parkland rather than back gardens unless you have a very large back garden. The ones I gathered chestnuts from ths last couple of years were certainly huge, like horse chestnut tree size.

Davesnave

Depends where you are. Without location info, we just guess at answers here.
That's a hint to everyone; no one will stalk you if you put a county after your name!:rolleyes:

I'd say if you are in the warmer southern counties, like I am, then you have a chance, but you'll be looking at a decade or more to see any result. Would it be worth the hassle? Even where I am now, in Mid Devon, the yields have been poor this season. I didn't see anything worth collecting.

I know that in most previous years, trees near Dawlish, close to sea level, have had reasonable crops, but I didn't visit them in 2009. TBH that's what I'll do in future years; drive 30 miles south and collect the free ones!;)

horsechestnut

I think that you are looking at 20 years plus before getting anything.
I get mine from the local park and the crop varies from year to year. The ones grown here are always smaller than the ones you buy in the shops; probably because of our cooler climate.
As other posters have said, it depends on the area of the country in which you live. I am north west, which has a mild climate.

choille

I planted some sweet chestnuts two years ago & am pretty surprised at the way they've grown. It's quite harsh here but they have grown about 18 inches from seed. Friends have quite a tallish tree & that's only been in 12 years. Don't think it's fruited though.
You will need room as they make a huge tree eventually.

Davesnave

choille wrote: »

You will need room as they make a huge tree eventually.

That's a very good point, which I should have mentioned, along with the fact that where I collect, I'm harvesting from dozens of trees. OK that is shared with other people, but it's still far more than any of us could grow individually.

hardpressed

Looks like I'll have to make do with buying them, can't think that I'll want to be out collecting chestnuts in 20 years time. Although I could plant one for the next generation. My father planted a walnut tree probably 25 -30 years ago and this is the first year I've gathered any nuts, the squirrels have always beaten me to it. Could be something to do with the dog chasing them, I suppose!