Cape chestnut a beautiful tree but not easy to grow

Press, 17 August 1979, Page 9

Cape chestnut a beautiful tree but not easy to grow

The Cape chestnut tree, Or wild chestnut from South Africa, makes st lasting impression when seen m full bloom in midsummer. It is not a spectacular tree — there are many which are far superior in this respect — but it is a large, shapely tree with big, dark green leaves to provide the ideal backdrop for its pinkish flowers. It has been known to thrive in some areas subject to very cold conditions. Calodendrum capense is

the botanical name of the Cape chestnut; and although the specific name indicates that it comes from the Cape, it is also found in Natal and North Transvaal. It belongs to a monotypic genus which means there is but one known species. The tree is an evergreen but in cold conditions it becomes temporarily deciduous. It is reputed to be a medium fast grower with an ultimate height of about 20 metres and may take between five and 10 years before it flowers. The flower of the Cape chestnut are somewhat reminiscent of nerines or possibly lycoris. They are borne ih termi-

ha! panicles. Each flower has five wavy, rosy-pink petals with a crimson base. Ten prominent pale-pink stamens sprout from the basal centre of the flower, five of which are sterile petaloids and are spotted red. The fruit is brown and knobbly and fivecelled, each of which contains two black, shiny seeds. The name “chestnut” is given in allusion to the

parallel veination of the large leaves, which are studded with oil cysts and are ranged in opposite manner on the branches. This tree of the forests is said to do best in good soil with adequate moisture. It can be raised from seed sown in early spring or from semi-ripe cuttings. Grafting is also a method used and is supposed to induce earlier flowering. Generally, no pruning is necessary unless it is re-

quired to improve initial development to make a more shapely specimen. All in ail, it is a tree that can be well recommended for less exposed areas which are subject to iittle more than light frosts. It could be tried in favourably situated positions which get some heavy frosts but in such localities protection during the early years after planting must be considered. A word of warning,

however, to these who may contemplate growing a Cape chestnut. No local nursery has any trees available and it is not listed in any catalogues on hand but it may be stocked by some of the North Island nurseries. The photograph is of one of a number of these trees growing near the Melbourne Botanical Gardens.

GARDENING

By

M. Lusty