Sweet Chestnut
Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa)
- Diameter: 6 metres Height: 13 metres
- Age (Estimated): 900 years
- Crown Spread: North - 11 metres, East - 11 metres, South - 9 metres, West - 9 metres
The Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) is a native of the Eastern Mediterranean countries but is now naturalised in the north and has probably been in Britain since the Roman times. Besides the interesting fissured twisting bark a mature Chestnut forms, one of its other main assets is the edible fruit it bears. These are often roasted on an open fire as a festive delicacy enjoyed by many and can usually be gathered in the autumn month of October.
A sweet chestnut can be found within the Grounds of Canford Magna School, which is the sole survivor from a group of 5 Sweet Chestnuts. Recorded in the Guinness book of records, this incredible tree has outlived generations to reach an outstanding girth of 43ft and 10 inches (13 metres). This spectacular tree is said to have featured in the Doomsday books suggesting its co-existence with Norman crusader Lord William Longspee and owing to its facility for coppice and regeneration, the likelihood is that this great veteran will continue to give pleasure and fascination for many years.
Canford Magna School is the historic seat of the Lords of the Manors of Canford and Poole, and even the little church within the grounds has important elements from Saxon and Norman Times. Visits to these grounds should be pre-arranged.
The school grounds contain over six hundred and fifty trees that represent over three hundred and fifty different species and varieties. Two trees are listed in the forestry Commissions booklet "Champion trees in the British Isles."
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