LXX. CORYLA‘CEZ: CASTA‘NEA. 913 
Bois ; la Chataigne ordinaire; la Chataigne pourtalonne; la Chataigne 
printaniére ; la Chataigne 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 60 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. vésca. 
posts, fencing-poles, stakes, trelliswork, hoops, &c. The wood, when green, 
weighs 68 Ib. 9 oz. per cubic foot ; and when dry, 41 lb. 20z. The wwood is 
easily distinguished from that of the oak, by the transverse fibres being more 
confused, 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 thin 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 
3.N 
