Chestnut leaves are covered with rust - how to treat. Chestnut tree planting and care

In recent years, autumn has come early for chestnuts. Already in the summer months, trees lose their leaf cover, lose their attractiveness and are on the verge of death. Let us note right away that the leaf cover of chestnuts is damaged not by a disease, but by an insect - chestnut leaf miner.

Now the pest is spreading across many countries where there are large plantings of chestnuts. Unfortunately, accessible, inexpensive and effective methods for exterminating these pests have not yet been developed. The chestnut miner moth - Cameraria ohridella - is a small insect of the order Lepidoptera (lepidoptera), i.e. butterfly.

Caterpillars develop in leaf tissues, eating them from the inside. Severe damage leads to premature wilting of leaves. The pest spread very quickly throughout Europe.

It is believed that it came to Ukraine from Hungary in 1998. In 2002, it was discovered in Kyiv. The process of expanding the range of this pest continues. The chestnut moth produces several generations per year. By the end of the first generation, under favorable conditions, the population density can reach several hundred larvae per leaf.

Up to 90% of the foliage surface on affected plants is destroyed. The plant is practically devoid of leaves. Controlling this pest is very difficult. Today, methods have been developed for injecting systemic insecticides into the chestnut trunk. The technique is expensive, but effective.

The problem with injection into the trunk of trees is that the poison can only pass into one side of the trunk, while the other side may not be poisonous, and the branches growing on this side may be damaged. Experts believe that it is much easier if Neonicotinoid is used to spray trees. The duration of action of neonicotinoids when sprayed and injected will be approximately the same.

The damage to the plant during injection is much greater. If you use systemic drugs of the 1st and 2nd hazard classes, for example, Carbofuran or Carbosulfan, then the injection must be made into the roots underground to reduce evaporation, and from several sides, so that the toxicity passes around the tree. The duration of action of such injections will be much longer.

But chestnuts can no longer be used even for alcohol tincture. And, of course, the use of such strong drugs is unacceptable where there are people. Again, injections cause great harm to the plant itself.

You can use hormonal drugs by spraying. Insegar (phenoxycarb) is a good choice. This drug is systemic and lasts a long time in the leaf. Important!

Treatment with Insegar should occur before egg laying. Often, severely damaged chestnut trees that have shed their leaves lose their biological orientation and, on the warm days of September and October, form new leaves and bloom a second time. But you shouldn’t be delighted with the chestnut inflorescences in autumn.

At the same time, the trees consume the nutrients stored in the wood, become depleted and may die in the coming years. At the base of diseased chestnut trees, heaps of fallen leaves gather, in which moth pupae overwinter, withstanding even 25-degree frost. In cities (and indeed everywhere) it is now prohibited to burn leaves.

But, given the current situation, if you have several chestnuts growing in your yard, you can still burn the fallen leaves both in summer and autumn. The problem of preserving chestnuts is, one might say, a pan-European one. Therefore, methods have already been developed where it is recommended that chestnuts be injected (vaccinated) with the drug Imidachloroprid, which is injected into the tree trunk with a special gun.

The drug is very expensive - one “injection” costs $20, but the injection lasts for about five years. Let's hope that scientists will soon develop cheaper and more accessible methods for preserving the health of everyone's favorite chestnuts. Chestnut fruits are a very good treat for horses, goats and pigs (obviously, that’s why the name of the plant is horse chestnut).

It is only advisable to remove the skin from the fruits and chop them before feeding. At least smash it with a hammer.

The luxurious dense crown of chestnuts gives pleasant coolness in summer, but very often even these mighty trees have problems. Diseases and pests of chestnut can significantly spoil the appearance and even lead to death. What do trees suffer from, and is there a chance to restore their decorative appearance?

Diseases and pests of chestnut: how they manifest themselves and how to treat them

At first glance, chestnuts seem powerful and strong. But even they are not immune from infections, fungi and insects. For example, powdery mildew, familiar to all gardeners and gardeners, thrives and reproduces on ornamental crops. Aphids and other harmful insects do not disdain large leaves. But let's talk about everything in order.

What are the diseases of chestnuts?

Most often, chestnuts, regardless of the type, can be affected by:

Various types of spotting. With hole spotting, small holes appear on the leaves, and dry brown spots grow around them. Black spot causes the leaves to turn black and fall off. With brown, red-brown spots quickly spread across the leaf and it dries out. Treatment: regular treatment of trees with Bordeaux mixture.
Necrosis. Tissue death is most often provoked by burns or mechanical damage. Treatment: Such branches should be cut out, and trees should be whitewashed in spring and autumn to prevent necrosis.
Rotten. Can be root or stem. Treatment: does not exist, trees must be cut down. For prevention, soil treatment with fungicides is necessary.
Powdery mildew. The white coating on the leaves turns into brown spots and causes them to fall off. Treatment: treatment with fungicides.

In the event of any disease, it is necessary to carefully remove and burn fallen leaves. In addition, dig up tree trunk circles and prune trees in a timely manner.

The main enemy of horse chestnut is leaf miner and other pests.

Small butterflies no more than 4 mm long are capable of completely destroying a grove of common horse chestnut. Their larvae live in leaves and feed on them. First, red spots begin to appear on the leaves at the sites of bites. Over time they become larger and the foliage dries out. As a result, by the end of summer the chestnut tree loses its leafy cap, and only bare trunks remain. The reason for this phenomenon is the mining moth.

Fighting a pest is a thankless task and impossible in urban conditions. Experts in the protection of ornamental trees today suggest treating trees with special hormonal preparations. However, they are very expensive, and they cannot be used in populated areas due to serious side effects. The most reliable option for getting rid of moths is to replace the common chestnut with more resistant varieties. These include red meat horse chestnut. Its leafminer is not very fond of it, and brown spot rarely affects the leaves. Externally, both species are very similar: they have the same crowns and leaves. The main difference between the meat-red chestnut is the inflorescences - they are pink-red in color. The common horse chestnut has white flowers with a yellow or pink tint.

Horse chestnut is a stately, beautiful tree with a dense shady crown. It is easily recognized by its large carved leaves that look like outstretched fingers. And of course, it is famous for its flowering - lush tall inflorescences in the form of candles, white and pink, visible from afar. In autumn, the ground under the chestnut tree is strewn with chocolate-brown fruits, enclosed in a green box covered with thorns - children love to collect them.

The genus and its representatives

Olga Nikitina

Genus horse chestnut (Aesculus) belongs to the horse-chestnut family and has about 25 species, common in Europe, Asia and North America. They are relatively frost-resistant, shade-tolerant, but develop better in good light. Most species are moisture-loving, quite resistant to pests and diseases, and prefer loamy soils containing lime.

Representatives of this genus are deciduous trees or shrubs with palmately compound, long-petioled leaves consisting of 5–9 leaflets, serrated along the edge. The flowers are quite large, bisexual, collected in pyramidal panicles 10–15 cm long. The petals have multi-colored spots, at first they are yellow, and then become orange and, finally, carmine red. Interestingly, a change in the color of a spot also correlates with a change in its smell. Yellow color is a signal for bees and butterflies, indicating the presence of nectar, and orange and red indicate its absence. The fruit is a spherical capsule with spikes, usually containing one large dark brown, polished seed.

The wood of horse chestnuts is diffusely vascular, white or cream, light, and in technical properties is close to the wood of poplar, alder and linden.

Horse chestnuts grow slowly, especially in the first ten years, and can withstand replanting until 15–20 years. All types are decorative during the growing season. Used in alleys, group and single plantings in parks, squares and city streets. Chestnuts can accumulate harmful sulfur compounds and lead.

They reproduce by sowing seeds in the fall or in the first spring after collecting them (preferably after stratification), as well as by grafting or budding onto common species.

Proper planting and care of plants is the key to their longevity and decorativeness. Horse chestnut prefers fertile soils; in hot weather, watering is required, otherwise a dry border will form along the edges of the leaves, spoiling the decorative appearance of the plant.

For alley and group plantings, the distance between trees should be at least 5–6 m. After planting, the soil settles and becomes compacted, so plants are planted to a depth at which the root ball will be 10–20 cm higher than recommended. This is especially important to observe when planting large specimens. As drainage, a 15–20 cm layer of coarse sand or crushed stone is poured into the planting hole.

The soil mixture should consist of turf and leaf soil and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1. If the soil is acidic, then lime must be added.

Watering is required not only during planting, but also for the next 3–4 days. In early spring, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied, and in the fall they are fed with mineral fertilizers (nitroammofoska). Pruning removes dry and diseased branches, as well as spiny shoots that sometimes form on the trunk.

The common cucumber (A. hippocastanum), growing in the south of the Balkan Peninsula, has become widespread in culture. A luxurious tree 30 m high with a tent-shaped crown and a powerful trunk up to 2 m in diameter, covered with gray-brown bark. Its blossoming leaves resemble huge dark green fans. Spread sparingly, they clearly demonstrate the phenomenon of leaf mosaics. At the beginning of summer, white candles of inflorescences “flare up” in the crown, the pyramidal shapes of which botanists call thyrsus.

This species is quite light- and moisture-loving, demanding soil richness. In autumn, when fruiting is abundant, it can litter sidewalks and paths with fallen fruits. During drought, the leaves warp and fall off.

Most species of horse chestnut grow naturally in the lowland and mountain forests of North America, many of which are used in our green building.

The unusual name of the genus is associated with the shape of the leaf trail, similar to a horseshoe. It is also reminiscent of a light spot on the dark brown skin of the seed.

(A. octandra) is native to the eastern regions of North America. This is a large tree, 20–30 m high, with a trunk diameter of up to 2.5 m, and has a dense, broadly ovoid crown. The leaves are palmate, lighter than those of the previous species. The flowers are yellow, collected in pyramidal panicles, 10–15 cm long. The fruits are spherical capsules, up to 6 cm in diameter, non-thorny. It grows relatively quickly, is undemanding to soil, but short-lived in cultivation. It is considered a shade-tolerant species, but blooms weakly in shade, which affects its decorative value. Relatively winter-hardy, watering is required on dry soils.

Buckeye naked (A. glabra) - a tree 10–20 m high, grows in southern Nebraska, Iowa and Pennsylvania, as well as along the western slopes of the Appalachian Mountains. It has a through crown, graceful, smooth foliage and fruits with soft thorns, later with tubercles. Pale greenish-yellow flowers are collected in pyramidal panicles up to 18 cm long.

Widely distributed in culture k.k. meat-red (A. x carnea). This is a tree 15–25 m high, of hybrid origin; the hybrid was obtained by crossing the common horse chestnut and the pavia horse chestnut. It looks spectacular during flowering, as it has flowers of various colors (from pink to dark red), collected in paniculate inflorescences up to 20 cm long. It begins to bloom earlier than the common horse chestnut, the flowering period is 20 days. In autumn the leaves remain green for a long time. Red meat horse chestnut is very sensitive to air and soil dryness. It is considered one of the most decorative species.

Horse chestnut pavia (A. pavia) - a tree from 6 to 12 m in height, sometimes growing in a bushy manner. The leaves are graceful, twice as small as those of the common horse chestnut, narrowly elliptical. It is distinguished by bright red flowers, collected in loose panicles up to 16 cm long. The fruits are small spherical boxes with tubercles. It is a less frost-resistant species than the common horse chestnut, but in places well protected from the wind it grows as a shrub, blooms and bears fruit.

Very interesting k.k. small-flowered (A. parviflora), which is a beautiful densely branched shrub 4–5 m high. Sometimes this species can form entire thickets. The leaves are palmate and have grayish pubescence below. White small, up to 1 cm, flowers are collected in luxurious cylindrical panicles up to 40 cm long. Pink-white stamens, which are twice as long as the petals, add piquancy to the flowers. This type of chestnut is not frost-resistant enough; in central Russia it requires shelter for the winter, but in the southern regions it feels excellent if it is watered abundantly during droughts. It is of interest as a bush-like, late-blooming species of chestnut that looks good in single and group plantings.

Chinese horse chestnut (A. chinensis) is one of the few species native to China. This is a tree up to 15 m high, with bare young branches. White flowers with red-yellow spots on the petals are collected in panicles up to 20 cm long and 5.5 cm wide. The fruit is a slightly flattened, almost spherical capsule, 2–2.5 cm in diameter. Not frost-resistant enough; in central Russia it requires winter shelter.

Horse chestnuts are not only ornamental and melliferous, but also medicinal plants.

Flowering horse chestnut
Horse chestnut fruits

Flowering horse chestnut meat-red

Horse chestnut diseases

Ella Sokolova,

Horse chestnut is one of the most disease-resistant species. However, there are a number of diseases that reduce the decorative value or durability of these trees in artificial plantings.

Leaf diseases

Powdery mildew (the causative agent is a fungus Uncinuella flexuosa). In mid-July, a delicate white cobwebby, barely noticeable coating of mycelium appears on both sides of the leaves. By the end of summer it thickens and becomes clearly visible, covering the entire surface of the leaves. During this period, sporulation of the pathogen is formed on the mycelium on both sides, but mainly on the bottom, in the form of numerous small black dots, often located along the veins of the leaf. Chestnut trees of all ages are affected, but the disease is most dangerous for young plants.

Red-brown spotting (the causative agent is a fungus Phyllostictasphaeropsoidea). In July, large red-brown or ocher-brown spots of round or irregular shape appear on both sides of the leaves. With severe development of the disease, the spots merge, often covering most of the leaf surface. On the upper side of the spots, sporulation of the pathogen is formed in the form of small black scattered, clearly visible dots.

Ocher spotting (the causative agent is a fungus Phyllostictacastanea). In the second half of summer, large round spots, up to 1.5 cm in diameter, ocher in color with a dark border, appear on both sides of the leaves. On the upper side of the spots, sporulation of the fungus forms in the form of small black dots.

Brown spot (the causative agent is a fungus Coniothyrium australe). In July, light brown or rusty-brown spots of irregular shape appear on both sides of the leaves, usually limited by leaf veins. The spots quickly enlarge, merge and cover almost the entire surface of the leaves. On the upper side of the spots, sporulation of the pathogen forms in the form of small black spots.

The causative agents of leaf diseases persist on fallen infected leaves, which are a source of infection. The development of most types of these diseases is favored by high humidity. Massive damage to leaves by powdery mildew and spots leads to a decrease in the decorative value of the chestnut and premature leaf fall.

The causative agents of leaf diseases persist on fallen infected leaves, which are a source of infection. The development of most types of these diseases is favored by high humidity.

Diseases of branches and trunks

Tubercular (nectria) necrosis of trunks and branches (the causative agent is a fungus Tubercularia vulgaris). On affected shoots and thin branches, the bark dies around the circumference and does not differ in color from healthy ones. On the trunks and thicker elements of the crown, separate necrotic areas of an elongated shape form; cracks appear along their edges over time, and even later, cancerous wounds appear at the site of necrosis. On the dead bark of trunks and branches throughout the year, sporulation of the pathogen can be found in the form of pink, pinkish-red and dark brown round or oval pads with a diameter of 1–3 mm. Often they completely cover the affected areas of the trunk and branches. In horsetail, not only the bark is affected, but also the vascular system of the tree. In this case, the peripheral layers of wood of the trunks and branches acquire a brown color.

Phomopsis necrosis (the causative agent is a fungus Phomopsisconeglanen-sis). Depending on the thickness of the trunks and branches, the bark dies around the circumference or in individual areas. The color of the affected bark is almost the same as the healthy one. In the thickness of the bark, sporulation of the fungus is formed in the form of numerous black tubercles protruding from breaks in the integumentary tissue. At the same time, necrotic areas differ sharply from healthy ones in their strongly pronounced roughness.

Septomyx necrosis of branches (the causative agent is a fungus Septomyxaaesculi). The bark of the affected branches becomes yellowish-gray. In the thickness of the dead bark, sporulation of the pathogen is formed in the form of dark tubercles protruding from breaks in the epidermis in groups or scatteredly.

Frost-sunburn, frost cracks, mechanical damage and other factors that cause weakening of trees contribute to necrosis of horsetail. Necrotic diseases reduce the decorative value of chestnut and lead to drying out of young plants.

Footnote: Frost-sunburn, frost cracks, and mechanical damage contribute to the defeat of equine necrosis.

White sapwood (peripheral) rot of roots and trunks (causative agent - autumn honey fungus - Armillaria mellea). Rot from the roots rises into the trunk to a height of up to 2 m. Under the bark of the roots and the lower part of the trunk, white fan-shaped films of mycelium and dark brown branching flat cords (rhizomorphs) are formed, which serve as a characteristic sign of honey fungus damage. The fruiting bodies of the fungus develop in the butt part of the trunks, on stumps, dead wood and dead wood. Trees that are weakened due to unfavorable weather conditions, air and soil pollution, growing conditions that do not correspond to the species, etc. are affected. Honey fungus accelerates the weakening of trees, leading to their drying out.

White core (central) rot of trunks (causative agent - scaly polypore - Polyporus squamosus). The rot is white, with black lines, fissured, fine-celled, affects the lower part of the trunk, rising to a height of 3 m, sometimes entering the roots. The fungus most often affects growing old trees, but can develop on stumps and dead trees. The fruiting bodies are annual, in the form of fleshy caps on the lateral, less often, central stalks. The caps are round, kidney-shaped or fan-shaped, 10–60 cm in diameter, single, less often several in a group. The surface of the caps is whitish, creamy, yellowish, with large brown scales.

Light yellow trunk rot (causative agent – oyster mushroom – Pleurotus ostreatus). The fungus causes light yellow heartwood, partly heartwood-sapwood, cellular-fibrous rot. The fruiting bodies are annual, in the form of fleshy soft caps on lateral stalks. Caps with a diameter of 7–15 cm, sometimes up to 30 cm, convex or depressed in the center, shell-shaped or tongue-shaped, smooth, initially dark, later gray, grayish-brown or yellowish.

Brown rot of trunks and branches (causative agent – common chinwort – Schizophyllumcommune). The rot is hard, fissured, slowly developing in the surface layers of wood. The fruiting bodies look like thin, leathery, light gray velvety caps 1–4 cm wide. The fungus is often found on stumps, dead wood, and in growing trees - on dry roadsides. The trunks of drying and shriveled trees are often completely covered with the fruiting bodies of the slit leaf and become gray, as if velvety.

In addition to those indicated, other rots on horsetail are quite common: white core rot, caused by the false tinder fungus ( Phellionus igniarius) etc. splitting ( Tyromyces fissilis), white sapwood – Stereum coarse-hairy ( Stereum hirsutum) and chondrostereum purpurea ( Chondrostereum purpureum), white heartwood-sapwood - scorched tinder fungus ( Bjerkandera adusta).

Rot of trunks causes gradual weakening of trees, reduces their resistance to wind, and promotes the colonization of trunk insects.

To protect horse chestnut from diseases, the following measures are recommended:

systematic observations of the condition of plants and the occurrence of diseases;
creating optimal conditions for the growth and development of plants (especially young ones), increasing their resistance to disease;
pruning affected and withered branches with their immediate destruction;
treatment of wounds and hollows on trunks;
in case of systematically recurring severe damage to leaves by powdery mildew and spots, spraying the crowns during the growing season with fungicides effective for a specific type of disease;
Late autumn or early spring spraying of fallen leaves with eradicating fungicides to destroy the overwintering stages of pathogens.

Horse chestnut pests

Galina Lebedeva, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences

About 30 species of harmful insects and herbivorous mites are known on horse chestnut, but most of them can only be found in the southern forests of the European part of Russia, in the forests of the Crimea, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Insects and mites damage almost all plant organs: leaves, buds, shoots, branches, trunks and fruits. Most pests of horse chestnut are polyphagous, i.e. they also feed on other deciduous trees.

Root pests

The root system of horse chestnut can be severely damaged by May beetle larvae, and beetle beetles cause significant damage by eating leaves.

Sucking pests

Sucking insects and herbivorous mites feed on the sap of leaves, shoots, and flowers. These include several types of thrips, aphids, and coccids (scale insects and mealybugs, false scale insects).

Thrips are very small insects (no more than 2–3 mm), the larvae and adults of which suck juices from flowers, flower legs and young leaves; feeding on flowers does not cause any noticeable harm. Three types of them are known in horsetail.

Aphids (two species) suck juices from the under and upper sides of leaves.

Particularly serious damage is caused by scale insects living on the trunk, branches and shoots of plants. As a result of their feeding, there is a decrease in annual growth, the number of leaves on the tree, and the size of leaf blades; the next stage is the drying of individual branches and finally the entire plant. On the trunk and branches, longitudinal sections through the bark inhabited by scale insects reveal browned areas of dead tissue of the sap-conducting part of the bark.

Six polyphagous coccid species have been recorded on horse chestnut. Most species live in the southern forests of the European part of Russia - purple scale insect, southern maple mealybug, giant red scale insect, wrinkled spherical false scale insect, in the Primorsky Territory, southern Sakhalin and in the southern forests of the European part - Californian, or harmful, scale insect, in the European part – maple mealybug.

Leaf miners

Damage on leaves in the form of mines is formed as a result of the feeding of the larvae of the wild chestnut leaf miner and the chestnut leaf miner. Currently, chestnut plantings are under threat due to the mass reproduction of a dangerous quarantine pest - the chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella Desh. & Dim.). Damage caused by the larvae of this moth significantly reduces the decorative value of plantings and contributes to their weakening

Leaf-eating insects

These insects feed on horse chestnut leaves. The leaves are skeletonized by beetles and larvae of the elm leaf beetle, and the elm leaf beetle beetles gnaw round holes on the leaves without touching the veins. The leaves are eaten by beetles of polyphagous leaf beetles (pear and nettle). The leaf cutter bee cuts out leaves to line the cells of the nest and block it. Hairy deer beetles (family Lamelidae) feed on young leaves and flowers.

Butterfly caterpillars - maple moths, elm moths, and winter moths - eat the leaves of the horse moth along with other tree species.

Stem pests

Pests of horse chestnut bark and wood are represented by a small number of species from the order of butterflies and beetles. Mining moths settle in the bark of trees, the caterpillars of which bore passages. Five species of bark beetles and nine species of longhorned beetles feed in the trunks of drying and withered chestnut trees, which, in addition to horse chestnut, damage many other tree species. The passages of two species of bark beetles (oak sapwood and Lezhava's rifal) are located directly under the bark, while the rest are located in the wood. The larvae of most species of longhorned beetles feed under the bark and in the wood of the thick part of the trunk. Strangalia and basket beetle larvae can be found in dead horse chestnut branches.

Currently, horse chestnut plantings are under threat due to the mass reproduction of a dangerous quarantine pest - the chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella Desh. & Dim.).

Horse chestnut in landscaping

Olga Nikitina

Horse chestnuts look somewhat exotic in the Central Russian landscape. But these beautiful plants have been used in culture for a long time and have proven themselves in the best possible way. Majestic trees with fan-shaped leaves, creating a dense crown, look especially impressive during flowering. Large white inflorescences resemble candles, clearly standing out against the background of dark green foliage.

Usage

They say that you should admire the flowering of chestnuts and lilacs in Kyiv. And indeed, the park on Vladimirskaya Gorka in May is buried in white and lilac clouds, fragrant with exquisite aromas. In autumn, the crown of chestnuts turns yellow, the fruits ripen - green boxes, from which large dark brown shiny seeds fall out. In winter, when the architecture of the tree crown is clearly visible, bare shoots with large apical buds covered with resinous scales look impressive.

Horse chestnuts have established themselves as excellent park trees that create dense shade and look great both in single and in alley and row plantings. But these trees are famous not only for their beauty, they are capable of purifying 20 thousand m3 of air from automobile exhaust gases, therefore they are widely used in urban areas.

Most often in landscaping, horse chestnut is used in its pure form, usually in solitary, row or alley plantings. In mixed groups, it goes well with large trees, for example, oak, beech, plane tree, which, like it, have a well-developed crown.

Types and varieties

The most widespread in landscape design k.k. ordinary– powerful trees with a dense crown decorate parks, squares and boulevards of many cities in our country. It is pleasant to walk under the shade of chestnut branches on a hot summer day. In May, when white candles of inflorescences flash in its crown, this species is so attractive that it simply has no equal. In addition, chestnut flowers contain nectar, which bees readily collect. In summer, its dark green leaf mosaic is interesting, and in autumn the tree dresses in a yellow outfit with numerous capsule fruits.

Recently, wonderful decorative forms and varieties of small sizes have appeared; they can be used in mixed compositions as accent plants:

‘ Baumannii ’ – distinguished by white double flowers and long flowering. It does not produce fruit, which can also be considered a big plus, since it does not litter the sidewalks and paths of parks and squares.

‘ Laciniata ’ has narrow, graceful, deeply dissected leaves, giving the root an openwork appearance.

‘ Memmingeri ’ – leaves are strewn with small white spots.

Received the same use as the previous type k.k. naked, which grows in the form of a tree 10–20 m high. During flowering, it is decorated with greenish-yellow flowers with four petals, collected in pyramidal inflorescences. Perfect for urban landscaping, good for both single and group plantings.

Somewhat less commonly used in green construction k.k. eight-stamen, which is decorative with inflorescences of yellow flowers and ornamental foliage. Unlike horse chestnut, it grows relatively quickly, but is short-lived in cultivation. Recommended for single plantings and small groups in city parks and squares.

One of the most decorative species is considered k.k. meat-red, which is a hybrid of the common horse chestnut and the pavia horse chestnut. During flowering, this low tree or large shrub is decorated with paniculate inflorescences with graceful dark red flowers. In severe winters it can freeze, so it is recommended to plant in warm, sunny areas well protected from the wind. Used as a tapeworm and in groups with shrubs. The most famous varieties of this species: ‘ Briotii ’ – with bright scarlet flowers and ‘ Pendula ’ , whose drooping branches form a weeping crown. They will be appropriate both in single plantings and in group plantings as attractive accents.

Horse chestnut pavia It is interesting for its relatively small size (when introduced it grows as a shrub about 3 m high) and bright red small flowers collected in paniculate inflorescences. Its varieties are also of great interest, but we must not forget that in central Russia in winter the old branches of these plants may freeze. Variety ‘ Atrosanguinea ’ has darker red flowers, and ‘ Humilis ’ – low, spreading crown and smaller inflorescences.

Common horse chestnut
Horse chestnut red meat
Horse chestnut small-flowered

Healing properties of horse chestnut

Marina Kulikova, Candidate of Biological Sciences

Horse chestnut is native to Asia and the Balkan Peninsula. In Russia it grows only in plantings. The most common ornamental horse chestnut in parks and gardens is the common horse chestnut ( Aesculus hippocastanum). The scientific name of the genus comes from the Latin word “esca” - “food”. Horse chestnut fruits are readily eaten by many animals, including deer and wild pigs.

Even in ancient times, folk healers advised people suffering from rheumatism to carry chestnut fruits with them, tying them to a sore spot. “If you have rheumatism in your arm or leg, take three chestnuts in your hands as often as possible, running them through your fingers,” recommended P. Sedir in his once popular book “Magical Plants.”

The famous doctor Parkinson (who first described Parkinson's disease) admitted in his book Paradise that he cultivated a chestnut tree in his garden and used various parts of the tree to treat many diseases. But the medicinal effect of horse chestnut was discovered only in 1896. A French doctor, whose name has not been preserved by history, prepared a chestnut tincture, which he successfully used to treat hemorrhoids. Soon they discovered the beneficial effect of chestnut on the entire vascular system. Since then, the scope of use of this plant has expanded significantly. The bark, leaves, flowers and fruits of chestnut are used in medicine.

The bark, leaves, flowers and fruits of chestnut are used in medicine.

Seeds harvested by hand in September–October at the moment of full maturity. Dry in the oven at a temperature not exceeding 60 ºС. The seeds contain saponin escin, flavonoids, tannins, vitamins B, C, K. The raw materials are stored for two years.

Koru branches are harvested in March–April, cutting it from 4–5-year-old branches. Dry in the oven at a temperature of 50–60 ºС. Coumarins, tannins, fatty oil and also saponin escin were found in the bark.

Flowers And leaves horse chestnut is harvested during the flowering period (May–June) and dried in the shade, in a well-ventilated area. Leaves and flowers are rich in flavonoids, carotenoids, and glycosides. Store for no longer than one year.

Horse chestnut preparations also have anti-inflammatory, wound healing, hemostatic, analgesic, astringent, blood purifying, tonic and bactericidal properties.

In scientific medicine in our country, preparations from the leaves and seeds of horse chestnut are used. Its value lies in the fact that it contains substances that prevent increased blood clotting, the formation of blood clots, and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Medicines from horse chestnut also have anti-inflammatory, wound healing, hemostatic, analgesic, astringent, blood purifying, tonic and bactericidal properties.

The pharmaceutical industry produces drugs with chestnut extract. Esculin stimulates the antithrombic activity of blood serum. Escin reduces blood viscosity. Horse chestnut fruit extract slows down blood clotting.
An extract from the bark (venostasin) is used for thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, etc.

In folk medicine, the bark of the branches, flowers and seeds have long been used to treat hemorrhoids, articular rheumatism, for diseases of the gallbladder and as a hemostatic agent for uterine bleeding.

The leaves of the plant are used to treat whooping cough, bronchitis, asthma, and also as a diuretic. For diarrhea, brew the seeds. Decoctions and infusions of horse chestnut are drunk as a sleeping pill and a sedative, as well as for prostatitis, gout, sciatica, and to relieve muscle cramps.

Horse chestnut perfectly purifies the air from exhaust gases.

You should not self-medicate. Before using horse chestnut preparations, you should consult a herbalist. Remember that overusing these drugs can cause bloating. Medicines from chestnut are contraindicated for stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and increased blood clotting. These medications should be used under medical supervision with monitoring of blood prothrombin. There are known cases of severe poisoning of domestic animals and children who have eaten horse chestnut fruits.

There are known cases of severe poisoning of domestic animals and children who have eaten horse chestnut fruits.

Recipes:

For arthritis, gout and salt deposits, use a tincture of flowers, which can be prepared in the spring and at home. To do this, you need to take 10 g of freshly picked flowers, separating them from the green base, crush and infuse with 100 ml of vodka in a dark place for a week, shaking occasionally. Strain and take the tincture 30 drops 3 times a day before meals for a month.

As a choleretic agent: pour 10 g of dry crushed chestnut flowers into a glass of hot water, boil for 30 minutes, strain. Then squeeze and bring to the original volume. Drink 1 tbsp. l. 2-3 times a day after meals.

For diarrhea: pour 20 g of crushed bark with a glass of boiling water, bring to a boil, leave for 2 hours, strain. Take 50 ml 3 times a day before meals.

For inflammation of the veins: pour 5 g of crushed raw material into 200 ml of hot water, boil in a closed enamel container in a water bath for 30 minutes, strain while hot, bring the volume to the original volume with boiled water. Take 1 tbsp. l. 2-3 times a day after meals. The course of treatment is 2-8 weeks.

Chestnut honey

Bees collect nectar from the white flowers of the plant. There are spots on the white petals of the flowers: first yellow, then orange and finally carmine red. As the color changes, the smell emanating from the stains also changes. All these are signals for bees pollinating horse chestnut. Orange means there is little nectar left, and red means there is no nectar at all.

The taste of chestnut honey is unusual, slightly bitter. Horse chestnut honey is liquid, clear and usually colorless. It should not be left over the winter, as it easily crystallizes. Chestnut honey has a pronounced antimicrobial effect. Recommended for cardiovascular diseases and digestive disorders. It has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system and organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

In the spring, green foliage blossomed on the chestnut tree, and suddenly by mid-summer the crown turned brown and the tree began to die. What is the reason? The main reason for the death of chestnut trees is the leaf miner, a pest that attacks the crown of the chestnut tree. Let's tell you more about the dangerous insect and methods of treating chestnuts from leafminer moths.

Barely visible moth damage to chestnut leaves appears at the end of May. Small brown spots become visible on the leaves. By the end of June, chestnuts take on an unkempt appearance; extensive brown round spots are clearly visible on the leaves. Sometimes, the damage to the crowns is so severe that the plant dies. As a rule, active reproduction of moths occurs in favorable conditions - drought and high temperatures in the spring. If you hold the leaf up to the sun, you will see moving leaf miner larvae or motionless insect pupae in the affected areas (depending on the stage of development of the pest). Moth larvae eat the leaf from the inside, so it is quite difficult to deal with the moth.

Treatment of chestnut from pests

Spraying with conventional means, for example, those used against aphids, does not help. Measures to combat chestnut moth should be different. Being inside the leaf plate, insects are reliably protected from the negative effects of most chemicals. A good result in the treatment of chestnut from leafminer moths is achieved by treatment with systemic insecticides, i.e. substances that penetrate the plant itself and destroy insects from the inside. The entire crown is sprayed with systemic insecticides. To do this, use powerful motor sprayers that create fine dust with the active substance. You can carry out such treatments yourself, but you should remember that the finer the dust created by the sprayer, the more effective the treatment of trees against pests will be. Not every garden sprayer can cope with this task. Another method of controlling leafminer moths is tree injections. This method, as a rule, completely cures chestnuts from leafminer moths and other pests. However, the disadvantage of this method is its high cost.

If black spotting forms on the tree, the leaves begin to turn black and fall off, and there is also a general weakening of the chestnut, slow growth and a decrease in the number of flowers.

Red-brown spotting When temperatures are too high, dark red spots can form on the leaves, which gradually grow, begin to brown and cover most of the leaf. The disease can appear due to excess moisture or a sharp change in temperature (hot during the day, cold at night). Brown spot Brown spot differs from red-brown only in the shade of the spots and the fact that they appear on both sides of the leaf.

In order to get rid of spotting once and for all, you first need to remove and burn all affected foliage, dig up the tree trunk circle and carry out sanitary pruning.

Powdery mildew

hot weather, sudden changes in temperature and humidity have a positive effect on the proliferation of fungal spores;
may also be the cause excess nitrogen fertilizers or lack of potassium and phosphorus supplements.

Powdery mildew covers the surface of the leaf and appears as a gray-white coating, which is mycelium. Also characterized by the presence of dark brown balls (fungal spores). Over time, the plaque only becomes thicker and, as a result, the leaf turns brown and falls off.

Powdery mildew is spread by air, and infection is also possible through water or through direct contact of two trees. Therefore, it is very important to protect healthy plants from infection.

The fight against powdery mildew should begin by removing the affected leaves and burning them. It is also necessary to timely fertilize the chestnut tree with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. The wood is then treated with the following means:

Fungicides Bayleton, Topaz, Zato, Topsin, Fundazol, Skor, etc.;
Biofungicides Fitosporin-m, Gamair, Planriz, etc.;
A product made from 500 grams of ash poured into a liter of water is also effective. The mixture is infused for 2 days, then 5 grams of laundry soap diluted in water are added and the treatment is carried out, the procedure is repeated a week later;
Experienced gardeners recommend spraying the chestnut with an infusion of weeds and water, which is prepared in a ratio of 1 to 2.

All treatments should be carried out only in the evening to avoid sunburn.

Necrosis

Necrosis occurs when the tree receives a burn that can be caused by both scorching rays of the sun and severe frosts. Mechanical damage may also be the cause.

Stem necrosis	It can appear both on the branches and on the trunk of the tree, while the bark begins to crack and over time, cancerous wounds and small seals (2-3 millimeters in diameter) appear, the color of which can range from soft pink to dark brown.	It is worth remembering that necrosis is not dangerous for an adult plant and after several procedures the disease disappears. But a young chestnut tree can die from such a disease. For the fastest possible recovery, you need to use a sharp garden knife to clean the damaged area, treat it with a disinfectant and cover the wound with garden varnish. You can also spray the chestnut with Brodka liquid or fungicides.
Phomopsis necrosis	Such necrosis is dangerous because it is very difficult to recognize in the initial stages. The course of the disease begins with harmful fungi settling under the bark, then the bark cracks and many small black tubercles can be seen under it.
Septomyx necrosis	The color of the bark becomes gray-white, and in its splits you can see black tubercles, which indicate the presence of a harmful fungus.

To avoid the appearance of necrosis on the chestnut you need to adhere to one simple rule, namely, whitewash the wood at the beginning of spring and at the end of autumn. This product will protect the bark from both frost and heat.

Rot

Another problem with chestnut trees is rot, which affects various parts of the plant.

Root rot	The disease is dangerous because if measures are not taken to treat the tree in time, it can dry out and die. Rooting of the root system can be caused by soil pollution, large amounts of precipitation and the proximity of groundwater. In addition to the roots, such rot can rise up the tree trunk (to a height of no more than 2 meters).	If rot has formed on the trunk or roots of a tree, it is no longer possible to get rid of it. Damaged chestnut trees are cut down, stumps are uprooted and all wood is completely burned. As preventive measures, it is necessary to lime the soil and treat it with fungicides (Bayleton, copper sulfate, etc.).
White stem rot	A white coating with black stripes appears on the tree trunk; the height of the spread of the disease is 3 meters from the beginning of the root system. Most often, aging trees suffer from white rot.
Yellow stem rot	The lower part of the trunk acquires a yellow, sometimes swampy tint, and is characterized by the presence of plaque.
Usually found on tree stumps. The bark becomes dense, brownish in color, and cracks are observed.

Rot greatly weakens the tree, it becomes lethargic and stunted. and can no longer fully cope with severe climatic conditions such as wind, frost, heat, etc.

Pests, what to do and how to fight?

Chestnut trees are often attacked by various pests; scientists count more than 30 species of such insects, some of which are extremely rare.

Pests are usually divided into the following groups:

Root- the most striking representative is the cockchafer, whose larvae reproduce in the root system, and adult insects feed on the foliage;
Sucking- Pests of this group feed on the sap of leaves, flowers and young shoots. These insects include thrips, scale insects, aphids and mealyworms;
Leaf miners- one of the most common and dangerous pests that multiply very quickly and spread to healthy trees. Chestnut moth larvae feed on the plant's foliage;
Pests that chew on foliage- the elm leaf beetle and elm beetle feed on the pulp of the leaf, leaving holes in it;
Stem- such pests can be found extremely rarely; their larvae feed on the core of a tree trunk, and adults gnaw through the bark. Such insects include bark beetles, longhorned beetles, etc.

Mining moth

Mining moth is the most dangerous pest of chestnut. The main problem is that these insects have not been fully studied, and experts have not developed a formula for a drug that gives 100 percent results. An adult chestnut aphid is a butterfly, measuring 4 millimeters in size with folded wings. The threat is posed by insect larvae; they settle in the foliage, gradually eating it. Such actions lead to premature leaf fall.

Treatment should begin with the removal and disposal of damaged leaves and branches of the tree; it is also worth remembering that larvae can withstand temperatures down to -25 degrees, so chestnuts need to be processed for at least 2 seasons.

The following drugs are used to get rid of insects::

Special injections, for example, Carbosudfan or Imidachloroprid. Injections should be made with a special gun along the entire diameter of the tree trunk so that the drug is distributed evenly. Such drugs are quite expensive, but they are highly effective;

Such injections pose a danger to human health; it is not recommended to give injections in populated areas and under no circumstances should you eat the fruits of a “poisoned” tree.

You can also spray chestnut hormonal drug Insegar.

Prevention of diseases, how to treat wood

If the chestnut leaves begin to turn yellow and dry out, this is the first sign of tree disease. To prevent diseases and pests, you need to do the following:

Regularly inspect the chestnut in order to detect all changes in time;
Carefully care for young trees, and fertilize regularly And;
Carry out sanitary pruning of the crown and burn all damaged leaves and branches;
Formed wounds need to be treated and lubricate with garden varnish;
In the presence of chronic diseases, during the vegetative period chestnut is treated with fungicides(drugs are selected according to the diseases);
Also the mulch should be treated with drugs, which is left under a tree so that insect larvae cannot overwinter there.

The unpretentious chestnut tree, the planting and maintenance of which is practically zero, has found wide application in landscaping parks, squares and city streets. Thanks to its beautiful crown, decorative foliage and attractive flowers, this amazing tree has become one of the most popular park plants.

Origin and where chestnut grows

Scientists believe that the chestnut tree existed in the Tertiary period during the appearance of the first ape-men. In ancient times, the distribution area of this tree was much larger than it is now. It is known that the tree grew in Greenland, North America, Sakhalin and on the subtropical shores of the Mediterranean. The Caucasus and Asia Minor are considered to be the birthplace of the nut.

For the first time, this decorative tree was brought from Istanbul to Europe by the famous botanist Lucluz back in the 15th century. He began to grow it in Vienna from imported nuts. Over time, this beautiful plant began to be used in landscaping, and the fruits began to be fed to livestock. Scientists discovered the healing properties of chestnut only in the 20th century.

Currently, wild chestnut can be found in Southern Europe, India, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Serbia and the Balkan Peninsula. Chestnut is cultivated on an industrial scale in southern European countries, Japan and China.

Description of the tree

The chestnut is a huge deciduous tree belonging to the beech family. The height of the chestnut tree can sometimes reach 25 meters.

The slender, straight, brown-gray trunk can be up to a meter in diameter. The chestnut root system is quite powerful with a main tap root. The lateral roots are very branched, making the plant quite stable in gusty winds.

The leaves of the chestnut are large and complex, five or seven palmate with a long spine. In summer, the leaves are green, with the onset of autumn they acquire yellow, purple, brown and crimson shades. The green mass of chestnut contains tannins, pectin and vitamin K. It is often used to prepare tinctures and decoctions that are used for various ailments.

Thanks to the large openwork leaves, the crown of the tree is very dense and wide, and has a rounded shape.

The tree looks very beautiful during its flowering. There is probably not a single city resident who has not seen the chestnut blossom. Its huge and fragrant inflorescences look like magic candles, evenly scattered throughout the crown. Pyramidal, spike-shaped inflorescences are from 10 to 35 cm in length, arranged vertically on the tree. The lower part of the inflorescences contains female flowers, and the upper part contains male flowers.

Chestnut flowers are also quite interesting in their structure. Each small flower has a 5-8-membered perianth. Depending on the type of chestnut, the flowers may be white, pink or red. There are about 15 species of this plant in the world. The flowering period also depends on the type of tree. The most common species in our region, horse chestnut and noble, bloom in early May. The chestnut tree is considered an excellent honey plant.

Chestnut fruits are round green boxes (nuts) with several opening doors covered with sharp thorns. Each such nut contains from one to four seeds. The plant begins to bear fruit at the age of 15-25 years.

Noble (real) chestnut nuts can be eaten. Horse chestnut is mainly used in landscaping. It is quite winter-hardy, but does not tolerate prolonged drought. During this period, leaves may dry out and fall off.

Chestnut propagation

In order to grow a high-quality seedling, which can then become a full-fledged and beautiful tree, you should know how to properly propagate a chestnut, taking into account all its natural features.

Traditionally, the chestnut tree is propagated in two ways.

1) Vegetative method of propagation:

Cuttings;
By layering;
Root shoots.

2) Seed propagation method.

The seed method is used more often than others when propagating this plant at home. Propagating chestnuts from seeds is quite simple and does not require additional special knowledge. For this purpose, fallen and fully ripened nuts are used, which must undergo a stratification procedure.

In the fall, you can plant fresh chestnuts directly into the ground; at the planting site, you should mulch the soil with fallen leaves. Then the chestnuts will undergo stratification under natural conditions. In the spring, planted nuts, in most cases, will hatch and begin to grow. The main disadvantage of this method of propagation is rodents, which can eat the seed material in winter if there is a lack of food.

If chestnut is planted in the spring, then the seeds need to undergo pre-sowing stratification. They should be placed in a cool place in damp soil for two to five months. Before planting, the seeds need to be soaked for several days in warm water, changing it daily. Thanks to this procedure, the chestnut skin softens and it is easier for the sprout to break through. After the activities have been completed, chestnuts can be planted in the garden bed. They should be planted no deeper than 8-10 cm at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other.

In February, you can plant chestnuts in prepared containers, and in the spring you can transplant small seedlings into open ground. When replanting, be sure to cut the main root by a third, then the root system will become more powerful in the future and the tree will grow faster.

Young seedlings require constant care. They need to be periodically weeded, loosened, and watered. In the second year, an audit should be carried out and, if necessary, the plantings should be thinned out.

Planting a chestnut tree in a permanent place

In the southern regions, seedlings are planted in a permanent place in the third year, in the middle zone when the seedling reaches five years of age. Due to their low frost resistance, they can be moved to a greenhouse or an unheated room during the cold season.

The chestnut tree grows quite large, so when planting in the ground, it is necessary to take into account that the distance to buildings, fences and other plants should be at least five or seven meters. If the size of the garden plot allows, then it is better to plant it separately from other plants, then the chestnut will eventually become a decoration of your garden. Moreover, almost no grass grows in the shade of the crown of this plant, which contributes to the creation of a recreation area. Quite often you can see how benches, children's sandboxes and swings are set up under the chestnut tree. In the dense shade of its crown it will always be fresh and cool in the heat.

The chestnut tree prefers slightly acidic or neutral soil. It should be well-drained, loose and moderately moist soil, rich in nutrients. It grows well on loams and black soils. When planting chestnuts in clay soil, sand must be added to the planting hole.

This tree can be replanted to a permanent location up to ten years of age. At this time, it grows quite slowly and is not large in size. When transplanting a tree so late, you should make a deep excavation so that most of the root system is preserved, then the tree will take root better and faster in its new location.

Chestnuts should be planted in open ground in the fall or early spring. The planting hole should be prepared spacious and wide, approximately 60 cm in depth and width. You need to fill the hole with nutritious soil, filled with humus and superphosphate. If the soil is quite acidic, it is better to add dolomite flour.

The plant does not tolerate stagnant moisture, which can provoke various diseases of the root system, and then the entire tree. Therefore, when preparing for planting, it is necessary to consider a drainage system that will remove excess moisture. You can also add a layer of sand about 15-20 cm to the bottom of the planting hole.

Having filled the planting hole with nutritious soil, the plant must be planted on a slight elevation, which subsequently compensates for the subsidence of the ground. The root collar of the chestnut tree should not be buried; it should be located at ground level.

The planted seedling must be watered with several buckets of water and tied to a support, which will help the not yet rooted tree to withstand strong winds. For more successful rooting, watering the tree should be moderate, but daily.

Chestnut tree care

Caring for a tree planted in a permanent place consists of periodic weeding combined with regular loosening of the soil, constant watering and fertilizing.

Mature chestnut trees are stronger and more drought-resistant than young ones, so they require watering only during periods of long absence of rain. Young specimens require constant watering.

As the crown of the tree grows, there is no need to weed the ground around the trunk because the dense foliage does not allow the rest of the plants to develop normally. Periodically, you should loosen the soil in the tree trunk circle and it is advisable to mulch it with wood chips or peat compost. The mulch layer should not exceed 10 cm.

For the correct and beautiful formation of the crown, the chestnut requires pruning, in which diseased and dried branches that appear from the root of the top are removed.

This plant responds well to fertilizing. Immediately after winter, you need to use a mixture of manure and urea solution. In the fall it should be fed with nitroammophoska.

Chestnut is a fairly frost-resistant tree, so only young specimens require shelter for the winter. To do this, the trunk should be wrapped several times in burlap, and the trunk circle should be mulched. If, however, these measures did not help and frost holes appeared, then they should be treated with any antiseptic and covered with garden varnish.

Diseases and pests

Due to the fact that the chestnut tree is practically not susceptible to various diseases and pests, it is very often used in urban landscaping. Quite rarely, this crop is subject to leaf spotting, which indicates an anthracnose disease, fungus or the appearance of powdery mildew. Occasionally, this tree is attacked by pests such as various borers, beetles and bagworms.

To effectively fight chestnut diseases, it should be treated with Bordeaux mixture or the universal fungicide “Fungazol” at the first signs of infection.

Cases of attacks on chestnut plantings by little-studied insects, which began to be called the Balkan or chestnut moth, have become more frequent. It is not known for certain where this moth came from; it was first noticed back in 1985 on the Balkan Peninsula.

Scientists have not yet identified the natural enemies of this type of moth, and there are practically no artificial effective methods of control. The damage that the chestnut moth causes to the plantings of these plants is quite significant. The foliage of an infected chestnut begins to dry out and fall off in mid-summer, and closer to autumn, new young foliage blooms again and the chestnut blooms again. After which the plant does not have time to prepare for the winter period and freezes slightly, and sometimes the entire tree freezes completely.

In order to destroy the moth, a special chemical preparation was developed, which is injected into the tree trunk. The pupae of such moths usually overwinter in fallen leaves, so timely harvesting of leaves is a preventive measure against damage to plantings.

The most dangerous pest is the tick. To prevent its appearance on the chestnut, it is necessary to treat it twice a month with the fungicides “Karbofos” or “Fitover”.

You can also fight diseases and pests of this plant using folk remedies. To treat the affected tree, decoctions of dissected hogweed and black henbane are used.

Watch the video of transplanting annual chestnuts

People have known about the healing effects of chestnuts since ancient times. This is a small genus of spreading trees native to the southern regions. The fruits of the plant are endowed with a colossal list of useful compounds and elements that few people are aware of. People are accustomed to eating them and preparing sweet desserts from nutritious nuts, without even realizing their healing power. Scientists know thoroughly that all parts of this amazing tree are endowed with a huge bouquet of useful ingredients.

Fruits, flowers, seeds, bark and leaves are widely used in alternative medicine. Official science has proven the therapeutic significance of all components. In this material, space is given to green leaves bordering the crown of the tree. You will gain useful information about its properties, uses, and also learn how to prepare healing decoctions.

What do chestnut leaves look like and when to collect them?

Biologists know over 30 varieties of populations. The most popular are the sowing ones, suitable for consumption. Each subspecies differs in fruiting and trunk height. Healers often use it for medicinal needs. It can be distinguished by its oblong, slightly pointed leaves, 25 cm long.

During the blooming period they become rich red. Chestnut leaves turn bright yellow in autumn. From August to September, experienced healers begin to reap the “harvest.” The raw materials are laid out in an even layer on a fabric surface, periodically turned over for the first few days to dry evenly. Then they are transferred to containers and stored for 12 months.

Components

Chestnut leaves are endowed with amazing substances that improve human health. Experts have identified triterpene compositions that play a key role in metabolic processes, tannins necessary for the body to fight free radicals. Pectin substances have been discovered that help eliminate toxins and heavy metals. One cannot fail to mention flavonoids: they have a positive effect on the enzyme system. They abound in plant glucose, organic acids, lecithin, and a wide range of vitamins and microelements.

Chestnut leaves in folk medicine: a pantry of health for humans

The plant is widely appreciated for its taste and healing powers. The medicinal abilities of parts of the tree are used by folk doctors around the world. Chestnut fruits and leaves have the following properties:

antitussive;
astringent;
diuretic;
anti-inflammatory;
wound healing;
antipyretic.

Such an extensive list of beneficial effects is explained by the presence of a vitamin and mineral complex. Official pharmaceuticals have recognized that the plant can cure a number of diseases. In pharmacy chains you can find a lot of drugs based on chestnut leaves. Extracts and decoctions effectively relieve swelling and stabilize blood pressure.

Such drugs exhibit analgesic effects. Infusions normalize the condition of the intestinal tract. They also thin the blood, make the walls of blood vessels more elastic, and increase their permeability. Prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques. used to combat respiratory pathologies: stops the cough reflex, improves the viscosity of sputum. The drugs help stop uterine bleeding.

For varicose veins

Traditional healers use chestnut leaves in the treatment of varicose veins. Tea is prepared from one part of crushed dry raw materials and 15 parts of boiling water. The solution is infused in a thermos for at least 4-5 hours. Take 400 ml per day orally in 2-3 doses. The product strengthens capillaries and prevents the occurrence of lumps and plaques.

Decoction for uterine bleeding

You will need 15 grams of dry leaves, which must be thoroughly chopped. Stir the raw materials in a glass of hot water (not chlorinated), boil for 10-15 minutes. Cool to room temperature, filter through a strainer. Drink 10 ml 5-6 times a day.

For warts (wen)

The following infusion has an effective therapeutic effect: take 10 liters of chestnut leaves, pour boiling water to the top and leave for 24 hours. Strain the solution, pour it into the bath and soak for 15 minutes. Perform procedures every two days. Course - 14 days.

For cough and whooping cough

For 10 grams of dry raw materials (pre-grind), take a glass of hot water. Bring to a boil, leave for an hour. Filter and drink the day before. Or consume a large spoon three times a day for two weeks.

Before taking chestnut leaves, you should consult a specialist. The plant is contraindicated in case of individual intolerance.

Family: beech (Fagaceae).

Motherland

Various types of chestnut are most widely distributed in the Mediterranean, the Caucasus, East Asia and the Atlantic coast of the North American continent.

Form: tree, bush.

Description

Most representatives of the chestnut genus are tall, deciduous trees. Shrubs and dwarf forms are less common.

The chestnut tree can reach 50 meters in height. Its trunk is covered with thick furrowed brown-brown bark. The root system is powerful and superficial. Short-petioled, dark green, chestnut leaves with jagged edges can have a lanceolate or oblong-oval shape. Chestnut flowers are collected in small balls (dichasia), forming inflorescence-catkins up to 15 cm long. Chestnut fruits are ovoid or spherical nuts in a wooden-skinned brown shell. One plus can contain from one to three fruits.

The genus of chestnuts is not numerous, it has only 10 species, and some of them are described as hybrids. Here are the most common of them:

or Japanese chestnut (C. crenata) - compact, up to 10 meters in height, tree, less often - shrub. Relatively frost-resistant - can tolerate short-term temperature drops down to -25 ° C. It grows quickly and begins to bear fruit earlier than most species. Demanding on air and soil humidity. It has many decorative forms, including:

weeping - with drooping shoots;
edible - with large, tasty fruits.

The softest chestnut or Chinese chestnut (C. mollissima) is a plant adapted to high mountain climates. It reaches a height of 20 meters and has a beautiful spreading crown. It begins to bear fruit at the age of 6-8 years. The tree is valued for its decorative properties, and its fruits for their high taste.

Chinkapin (C. pumila) - a relatively low, up to 15 meters, tree or shrub. The species is resistant to cold and dry soil and is undemanding to soil composition. Relatively resistant to pests and diseases.

Chestnut, or European chestnut (C. sativa) is a tall tree growing up to 35 meters in height. It is demanding on the microclimate, and in favorable conditions it is very durable. It is considered one of the most beautiful deciduous trees due to the majestic shape of the crown and large, spectacular light green leaves, which acquire a pure yellow color in the fall. Decorative forms of this type are numerous and varied, here are some of them:

pyramidal - with branches directed upward and forming a pyramidal crown;
split-leaved - leaves with unevenly lobed or jagged edges;
round-leaved - leaves have a round shape;
golden-spotted - leaves with yellow spots;
silver-variegated - leaves with white spots;
golden-edged - with a yellow border along the edge of the leaf;
silver-edged - with a white border along the edge of the leaf;
purple - with purple leaves;
naked - with large, dense, bare, glossy leaves.

Segyu chestnut (C. seguinii) is one of the shortest representatives of the genus, reaching no more than 10 meters in height. It has the shape of a tree or bush. Natural habitat is 1000-1600 meters above sea level.

Growing conditions

Chestnuts are heat-loving and moisture-loving. The ideal conditions for growing chestnuts are regions with a moderately warm, but not hot climate and fairly high air humidity, up to 70%. Large amounts of precipitation do not harm plants. Most representatives of the genus cannot tolerate prolonged drops in air temperature to -15 °C. Sunny exposure is not for chestnuts; they prefer moderately shaded areas.

Chestnuts are demanding on soil composition: they avoid both calcareous and acidic soils, and do not like clayey and swampy areas. Chestnut grows well on sandstone, gneiss and shale soils.

Application

Chestnut is decorative and expressive in itself, so it often becomes a key object in shaping the appearance of a garden. They look great in single plantings on a patio, near a bench or well. They look impressive when planted with tall chestnut trees that provide thick shade. Chestnuts are widely used in group plantings, and shrubby forms can serve as material for tall ones.

Compositions and mini-arboretums using chestnut trees can be an interesting landscape solution. The plant goes well with almost any plant, but compositions using trees and shrubs, whose foliage in color or texture contrasts with the leaves of the chestnut, are especially advantageous.

Chestnut is a plant that is in demand not only in landscape design. Its wood is a valuable material for making furniture and interior items, and its fruits are used in cooking.

Care

Chestnut is moisture-loving, so it should be provided with regular, fairly abundant watering. The plant responds well to loosening the soil around the trunk; it can be done as needed 2-3 times per season. In autumn, the ground under the chestnut tree is mulched with peat and sawdust from fallen leaves. High-quality chestnut care involves fertilizing, which is carried out in early spring. A mixture of ammonium nitrate, mullein, nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizers and urea is used as a fertilizer.

Chestnut tolerates pruning well, so forming a spreading, lush crown of growing trees is not difficult. To do this, at the beginning of spring, shortening pruning of the chestnut is performed, cutting off the branches of young plants by ¼ of the length and shortening the top.

Reproduction

The most accessible and effective way to propagate chestnut is by seed.

Chestnut nuts can be sown in open ground in the fall, immediately after ripening. They should be embedded in the soil to a depth of 3-5 cm at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other. In winter, the seeds will undergo a process of natural stratification. For spring sowing of chestnuts, the seeds must be stored all winter at a temperature of + 5-6 ° C, and immediately before sowing, soak in warm water for five days. Sprouted seedlings should be regularly watered, fed, and freed from weeds.

To grow chestnuts, 1-2 year old plants are taken from seedlings. At the same age, chestnut seedlings are transplanted to permanent places. The soil for planting is prepared as follows: the soil removed from the hole is mixed with sand and humus (2:1:1), dolomite flour and slaked lime are added there. The holes are drained with pebbles or crushed stone mixed with sand, the prepared substrate and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer are poured onto the bottom, and filled with water. Then the seedling is placed in the hole, the substrate is added and it is compacted. The neck of the seedling should remain 8-10 cm above the soil level. The seedling is watered generously with warm water.

Diseases and pests

Chestnut is quite resistant to diseases and pests. The main natural enemy of some species is a fungal infection. To combat the problem, standard means are used. If the fungus has infected the root system, you will have to get rid of the plant.

Horse chestnut is a perennial plant that is a tree that reaches up to 30 m in height. It is distinguished not only by its beauty, especially during the flowering period, but also by its beneficial properties. Therefore, chestnut is often used in alternative medicine for the preparation of various medicines. You can see what horse chestnut looks like in the photo.

Description of the plant - photo

Horse chestnut trees can often be found in garden plots or park areas. It is a fairly tall tree with opposite leaves. The shape of the chestnut leaf is pointed with small teeth along the edges. You can see what a horse chestnut leaf looks like in the photo.

How do these trees bloom? This process begins at the end of spring. The flowers are white or pale pink, they form in large erect clusters, reaching 30 cm in length. At the beginning of autumn, the first fruits begin to appear on the tree. They are small round-shaped boxes covered with large thorns. Inside these boxes are irregularly shaped seeds that are brown in color and have a glossy surface. You can see what the horse chestnut fruit looks like in the photo.

Where does this tree grow? Most often it can be found in Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. Greece is considered the birthplace of this plant.

Medicinal properties of chestnut

The fruits, flowers and grass of horse chestnut are actively used in both modern and alternative medicine. This plant is used to eliminate the following ailments:

Inflammatory processes in the body and swelling. Tinctures based on the plant have anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects.
Thrombosis. Chestnut tree significantly reduces blood clotting and prevents the formation of blood clots. Also, medications based on it are used for uterine bleeding in women.
Increased acidity of gastric juice. The plant normalizes this indicator, making it indispensable for exacerbation of gastritis.
Impaired functioning of the gallbladder. Chestnut normalizes the secretory function of this organ.
Cough, bronchitis, bronchial asthma. The plant promotes the removal of phlegm and improves the general condition of the body.
Arthrosis, arthritis, gout. Ointments based on this chestnut relieve pain and inflammatory processes that are observed in joint tissues in these diseases.
High blood pressure. Chestnut is one of the most effective ingredients in herbal treatment of hypertension. It also improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system in general.

Due to its anti-inflammatory effect, chestnut fruits are used to prepare ointments and creams for trophic ulcers.

Uses of chestnut

This plant is used in the production of various drugs in modern medicine. You can also prepare medicinal products at home. The most common recipes are:

Tincture. To prepare this form of medicine, you will need 50 g of crushed fruits or flowers of this plant and 0.5 liters of vodka or diluted alcohol. Place the ingredients in a container, cover tightly with a lid and leave to infuse for 3 weeks. After the time has passed, strain the resulting tincture and take 30 drops 3 times a day.
Infusion of bark. To prepare this remedy you should take 1 tsp. crushed chestnut tree bark, pour 2 cups of boiling water. Infuse for several hours. Then strain the infusion and consume 2 tbsp. l. 3 times a day. This infusion can also be used to treat skin diseases. For greater effectiveness, it should be boiled for about 15 minutes before infusing.
Tincture for external use. You should take 300 g of plant fruits, crushed using a meat grinder or blender, along with the peel, and pour in 1 liter of vodka or alcohol. Infuse in a tightly closed container for 1 week. The use of this tincture has a beneficial effect on radiculitis, arthritis, arthrosis, and inflammatory processes in muscle tissue.
Ointment. You will need 5 tbsp. l. flowers of the plant that should be crushed. Add 0.5 liters of refined sunflower or olive oil. Let it cook on low heat for 1 hour. Then strain the prepared mixture, cool slightly and apply to the affected areas of the skin.
Infusion of fruits. To prepare a remedy for chronic diarrhea or kidney dysfunction, you should take 2 fruits of the plant, chop well and pour 1 glass of boiling water. Leave to brew for 3 hours. After the time has passed, take the medicine 2 tbsp. l. 5 times a day. This decoction is also useful for diseases of the upper respiratory tract caused by inflammatory processes.

In addition to these recipes, the juice of the flowers of this plant is actively used. It can be purchased ready-made in pharmacies.

The difference between horse chestnut and edible chestnut

How to distinguish horse chestnut from an edible plant? There are a number of visual distinctive features of these plants:

Edible chestnut leaves are not so large; they are pointed at the top.
The inflorescences of these plants are significantly different. The edible plant blooms with narrow and long catkins.
The edible chestnut tastes sweeter; as for the second type of plant, it has a bitter aftertaste.
Horse chestnut usually has one fruit per nut; the edible tree grows mainly with two fruits.
The skin of the horse chestnut fruit has a bright greenish tint. The edible chestnut is brown in color with a large number of long thorns.

The only similarity between these plants is their fruits. They are glossy and dark brown in color. They are practically the same in shape and size.

Contraindications to the use of the plant

Medicines based on horse chestnut are not suitable for every person, as they have some contraindications. You should avoid using this plant in the following cases:

regular constipation;
reduced acidity of gastric juice in chronic gastritis;
low blood pressure;
poor blood clotting;
menstrual irregularities in women;
period of pregnancy and breastfeeding.

While taking chestnut tree-based medications, a person may experience nausea or severe heartburn. Therefore, before using them, you must consult your doctor. He will assess the feasibility of this method of influence, and will also suggest the most effective dosage, taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient’s body.

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