Common Name:

General Information

Castanea henryi is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 30 metres tall. The bole can be 50 - 90cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is cultivated in eastern China for its edible fruits, where it is also used in afforestation projects[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southwestern and southern China.

Habitat

Mixed mesophytic forests on mountain slopes; at elevations from 100 - 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind, Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Castanea henryi is a moderately cold-hardy tree, tolerating temperatures down to around -20°c when dormant. It grows best in areas with hot summers. In areas with cooler summers(even if the winters are mild), such as the maritime regions of the temperate zone, it often grows poorly, failing to properly ripen its wood and suffering frost damage over the winter[, ].
Prefers a good well-drained slightly acid loam but succeeds in dry soils[, , ]. Once established, it is very drought tolerant[, , ]. Very tolerant of highly acid, infertile dry sands[]. Averse to calcareous soils but succeeds on harder limestones[, ].
A fast-growing tree.
Resists endothia blight[]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Flowers are produced on wood of the current year's growth[]. Plants are fairly self-sterile[].
All the different Castanea species are interfertile and will hybridize freely with other members of this genus[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, ]. Small[, ]. Said to be of excellent eating quality[]. Eaten raw, there is a distinct astringency, especially if the fleshy inner skin beneath the outer shell of the seed is not removed[]. When cooked, however, and especially when baked, the seed becomes much sweeter and has a floury texture[]. It then makes an excellent food and can be used as a staple food in much the same way as potatoes or cereals[]. A single, cone-shaped seed 12 - 18mm wide at the base is produced in each seed cupule[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Castanea henryi is an excellent soil-enriching understorey plant to grow in open pine forests[].

Other Uses

The bark, leaves, wood and seed husks all contain tannin.

The wood is of good quality. It is valued locally for construction[].

Propagation

Seed - where possible sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in a seed bed outdoors[]. The seed must be protected from mice and squirrels. The seed has a short viability and must not be allowed to become dry. It can be stored in a cool place, such as the salad compartment of a fridge, for a few months if it is kept moist, but check regularly for signs of germination. The seed should germinate in late winter or early spring. If sown in an outdoor seedbed, the plants can be left in situ for 1 - 2 years before planting them out in their permanent positions. If grown in pots, the plants can be put out into their permanent positions in the summer or autumn, making sure to give them some protection from the cold in their first winter[].