Decorative chestnut
Ornamental chestnut is a deciduous frost-resistant tree, unpretentious and well adapted for growing in the northern regions, decorates parks, gardens and squares. Due to its dense and beautiful crown, as well as the beneficial properties that its fruits possess, it is very popular.
Description of the types of decorative chestnut
Depending on the species, and there are more than 20 of them, it can be a tall tree or miniature shrub up to 3-5 meters. Its decorative crown with parallel carved leaves and white-yellow or red candle-shaped inflorescences will be a worthy decoration of a large suburban area.
Ornamental chestnut produces fruits with beneficial properties
In our regions, several varieties of chestnuts are most often found:
Horse is a fast-growing tree 30 meters high with a spreading crown and long palm-shaped leaves up to 25 cm and erect white panicles up to 20 cm covered with yellow flowers. At the beginning of autumn, fruits ripen, covered with green thorns, which soon burst, and large seeds appear.
Small-flowered – a small shrub, no more than 5 meters high and growing up to 3 meters wide, with long leaves up to 20 cm and white panicles up to 30 cm with small yellow or reddish flowers with protruding stamens.
Meat-red reaches a height of no more than 20 meters, with erect purple panicles up to 15 cm and large blood-red flowers. Practically does not give fruit, most often it is grown for decoration of alleys.
The tree has a powerful root system that can grow up to 5-7 meters in diameter, this should be taken into account when planting chestnuts in a small area. For a small garden, it is better to choose ornamental shrubs of the chestnut genus, which will look great even on small lawns.
For planting, large seeds are taken that have lain under the snow for the winter, as a rule, after natural wintering, they will give strong and healthy shoots. You can plant it immediately in a permanent place in a prepared hole with humus, no more than 20 cm. Chestnut does not require any care, except for regular pruning and fertilizing.
To avoid the uncontrolled growth of young shoots, it is imperative to dig up the soil around the tree, and remove the shoots
It is necessary to choose a sunny place for planting, then the chestnut will develop better and bloom profusely. To improve the decorative qualities of the tree in young seedlings, the main root shaft is shortened by 1/3 in spring. Thus, the roots of the chestnut will grow horizontally and the crown will turn out to be more spreading.
The fruits, flowers and roots of the chestnut are used in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as in folk medicine for the treatment of many serious diseases.
Chestnuts with a conical and pyramidal shape are suitable for decorating the site; it looks good both in single and in group plantings. Among ornamental trees and shrubs, the chestnut modifies the landscape of the site, filling the space with sophistication and subtle charm, and is also an excellent air purifier.