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CHESTNUT (Castanea dentata)

Distinguishing characters: The bark in young trees is smooth and of a marked reddish-bronze color, but when the tree grows older, the bark breaks up into diamond-shaped ridges, sufficiently characteristic to distinguish the tree at a glance. A close examination of the terminal twig will show three ridges and two grooves running down along the stem from the base of each leaf or leaf-scar. The twig has no true terminal bud. The fruit, a large, round bur, prickly without and hairy within and enclosing the familiar dark brown, sweet edible nuts is also a distinguishing mark of the tree.
Chestnut Leaves and Nuts
Leaf: The leaves are distinctly long and narrow. They are from 6 to 8 inches long.
Chestnut Leaves and Nuts
Form and size: The chestnut is a large tree with a massive trunk and broad spreading crown. The chestnut tree when cut, sprouts readily from the stump and therefore in places where the trees have once been cut, a group of two to six trees may be seen emerging from the old stump.
The Lovely Chestnut Tree
Range: Eastern United States.
Chestnut Tree Range
Soil and location: It will grow on rocky as well as on fertile soils and requires plenty of light.
The Nut and Its Burr
Enemies: During the past nine years (in the early 1900s) nearly all the chestnut trees in the United States have been attacked by a fungus disease (Diaporthe parasitica, Mur.) which still threatens the entire extinction of the chestnut trees in this country. No remedy has been discovered and all affected trees should be cut down and the wood utilized before it decays and becomes worthless. No species of chestnut tree is entirely immune from this disease, though some species are highly resistant. (In modern times hybrids have been developed to be resistant to the disease.)

Value for planting: The chestnut is one of the most rapidly growing hardwood trees but, on account of its disease, which is now prevalent everywhere, it is not wise to plant chestnut trees for the present.
Delicious Nuts
Commercial value: The wood is light, not very strong and liable to warp. It is durable when brought in contact with the soil and is therefore used for railroad ties, fenceposts, poles, and mine timbers. It is also valuable for interior finish in houses and for fuel. Its bark is used in the manufacture of tanning extracts and the nuts are sold in cities in large quantities.

Directions

Study the lesson for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read the lesson.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Recite aloud the vocabulary words and their definitions.
  • Learn the concepts.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Study the review questions.

Synopsis

This lesson covers the chestnut tree, whose nut is featured in a popular Christmas song subtitled, 'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.' Prickly burrs surround the edible nuts. One interesting fact about chestnut trees is when they are cut, leaving a stump, multiple trees may sprout from the stump. The scientific (Latinized) name of the Lombardy is Castanea dentata.

Vocabulary

Burr: A seed pod with sharp features that stick in fur or clothing.
Chestnut: The brown nut of the chestnut tree that can be roasted and eaten.
Hardwood Tree: The wood from any dicotyledonous tree (seeds have two cotyledons), without regard to its hardness, including ash, hickory, and oak trees.
Softwood Tree: The wood from any conifer (or from Ginkgo), without regard to how soft this wood is, including juniper, pine, and spruce.
Railroad Ties: A heavy, preserved piece of hewn timber laid crossways to and supporting the rails of a railroad.
Fenceposts: A post which helps hold up a fence.
Mine Timbers: The wood supporting the opening, roof, etc. a mine.

Concepts

CHESTNUTS: FRUIT OF THE CHESTNUT TREE

  1. Chestnuts are the fruit or nut of the chestnut tree.
  2. Like acorns, chestnuts encompass a seed or embryonic plant and can grow into new chestnut trees.
  3. Rather than having a cup, chestnuts are encased in prickly burrs.

Recite and point out the following parts of the chestnut on the diagram:

  1. Pericarp (A)
  2. Seed Coat (B)
  3. Cotyledons (C)
  4. Hypocotyl (D)
  5. Radicle (E)

The nut of the chestnut tree is edible and nutritious.

  1. Roasted chestnuts are traditionally enjoyed at Christmas time:
  2. Whole chestnuts can be eaten raw, baked, boiled or roasted.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Narrate the Lesson

  • After reading or listening to the lesson, narrate the lesson aloud using your own words.

Activity 2: Study the Lesson Pictures

  • Study the lesson pictures and describe how they relate to the lesson.

Activity 3: Try Roasted Chestnuts (Optional)

  • Chestnuts are typically available in supermarkets from before Thanksgiving through Christmas.
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Parents cut an 'X' into each chestnut with a breadknife to prevent the chestnuts from exploding in the oven.
  • Soak the scored chestnuts in hot water for a minute.
  • Pat the chestnuts dry.
  • Season the chestnuts with melted butter, salt, pepper, and/or other spices as desired (rosemary, pumpkin spice, or nutmeg, etc.).
  • Place the nuts on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake until the peel begins to curl - around 25-35 minutes.
  • Remove the chestnuts from the oven, cover them with a cloth, and allow them to cool.
  • Eat them when they are fresh (they will be soft like a potato), they do not keep well.

Activity 4: Take a Nature Walk

  • Bring a small sketchbook and a specimen collection bag and embark on a nature walk.
  • Seek out a chestnut tree or if unavailable, a different tree of your choice.
  • Study and sketch the appearance and habitat of the tree.
  • Collect one or more leaves and burrs from the tree as specimens.
  • Use the gathered specimens and sketches to create the field book entry.

Activity 5: Complete a Field Book Entry   

After your nature walk, complete pages 27-28 in 'Science Field Book for Fourth Grade.'

Review

Question 1

What purpose does the chestnut serve for its tree?
1 / 3

Answer 1

Chestnuts are fruit containing the seeds or embryonic plants of the chestnut tree. Chestnuts can grow into new chestnut trees.
1 / 3

Question 2

Can you pluck the nuts from a chestnut tree and immediately eat them?
2 / 3

Answer 2

Chestnuts may be eaten raw, but first you would need to remove the outer prickly burr.
2 / 3

Question 3

What happens if you cut a chestnut tree down but leave its stump?
3 / 3

Answer 3

Multiple chestnut trees tend to sprout from the stump.
3 / 3

  1. What purpose does the chestnut serve for its tree? Chestnuts are fruit containing the seeds or embryonic plants of the chestnut tree. Chestnuts can grow into new chestnut trees.
  2. Can you pluck the nuts from a chestnut tree and immediately eat them? Chestnuts may be eaten raw, but first you would need to remove the outer prickly burr.
  3. What happens if you cut a chestnut tree down but leave its stump? Multiple chestnut trees tend to sprout from the stump.

References

  1. 'Studies of Trees' by Jacob Joshua Levison. gutenberg.org/ebooks/16116. n.p.
  2. 'Chestnut.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.
  3. 'Chestnut Recipe (Adapted From).' Boulder Locavore. boulderlocavore.com/the-best-roasted-chestnuts/. n.p.

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