LXX. CORYLA^CE^: CASTA^NEA. 



913 



Bois ; la Chataigne ordinaire ; la Chataigne pourtalonne ; la Chataigne 

 printaniere ; la Oliataigne verte du Limousin, which produces very large 

 excellent fruit ; and la Chataigne exalade, the fruit of which is the best of 

 all the common chestnuts for the table. {Le Bon Jard., 1837.) 



The sweet chestnut differs essentially from the oak, in its timber not in- 

 creasing in value as it increases in age. The trunk, in deep free soils, and in 

 situations sheltered rather than exposed, rises erect, and forms a massive 

 column of wood ; but, in unsuitable soils, and in elevated exposed situations, 

 and in cold climates, it ramifies at the height of 10 or 12 feet, and the tree as- 

 sumes the character of a large pollard. The root descends perpendicularly, 

 like that of the oak, but not, as it is alleged, to quite so great a depth. The 

 rate of growth of young trees, in the neighbourhood of London, averages from 

 2 ft. to 3 ft. a year for the first 10 or 12 years. The tree will attain the height 

 of from GO ft. to 80 ft. in from 50 to 60 years ; before which period its timber 

 is generally in the highest degree of perfection ; but the tree will live for se- 

 veral centuries afterwards, and produce abundance of fruit ; its timber, in the 

 mean while, beginning to decay at the heart, or become brittle, and fit only 

 for fuel. The wood of the chestnut has the remarkable property of bemg more 

 durable when it is young than when it is old ; the sap or outer wood very 

 soon changing into heart wood ; and hence the great value of this tree for 



.706 C. v<!sca. 



posts, fencing-poles, stakes, trelliswork, hoops, &c. The wood, when green, 

 weighs 68 Ib^ 9 oz. per cubic foot ; and when dry, 41 lb. 2 oz. The wood is 

 easily distinguished from that of the oak, by the transverse fibres being more 

 conftised, and much less evident to the naked eye, more especially in a section 

 newly cut ; so that, to ascertain whether a plank of timber is oak or chestnut 

 it is only necessary to saw off a tliin slice at one of its extremities. The bark, 

 especially of young trees, is used for tanning; but it only sells for half the 

 price of "that "of oak. As a tree for useful plantations, the* chestnut is chiefly 



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