How to grow Sweet Chestnut in Australia
A large cool-climate tree for the tablelands and alpine areas. Prefers slightly acid soil.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 20 litres a week, watered every 6 days
- Spacing: 1000 cm
- Time to harvest: 730 days (about 2 years)
- Time to germinate: 1 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | Not suited | Not viable in SEQ. A tableland and alpine tree that needs a cold winter. |
| Northern Rivers NSW | Not suited | Not viable. Chestnuts need a cold tableland winter. Too warm on the coast and in the hinterland. |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | June to August | Cold western gardens and the mountains only; the coast is too warm and humid. Plant bare root Jun to Aug and allow for a large tree. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | June to August | |
| Adelaide & SA | June to August | |
| Perth & WA | June to August | |
| Tasmania | June to August | |
| Canberra & ACT | June to August | |
| North Queensland | Not suited | Not viable. Chestnuts need a cold winter. Impossible in the tropics. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not viable. Chestnuts need a cold winter. Darwin has none. |
Harvest and storage
Storage
Fresh keeps a few weeks chilled; dries or freezes well.