Other Names: bread tree, dwarf chestnut, sweet chestnut. This tree should not be confused with horse chestnut or chinquapin oak. It is unlikely that you will encounter an American chestnut in the wild. The American chestnuts have largely been wiped out due to chestnut blight. An alternative is the Chinese chestnut, which has been planted to replace it due to its resistance to chestnut blight. The Chinese chestnut has the same magickal properties of the American chestnut.
Number of Species: 5–9
Family: Fagaceae
Genus/Species: Castanea dentata
Leaf: Simple alternate, deciduous, 6–12 inches long, unique sharp teeth that extend past the leaf margin resembling a saw. Veins are usually parallel and straight
Bark: Bark of young trees is smooth and dark brown to red or gray. Bark of older trees becomes thick and deeply furrowed.
Fruit: Spiny, bur-like green nut that turns brown when mature, very edible
Magickal Properties and Lore: Love magick, protection, fertility, success, healing, and excellent for grounding and centering. Wands made of chestnut wood are good for healing and general ritual purposes. Create a sigil of chestnut and carry it to promote fertility.
Practical Uses: This tree provides the nuts referred to in the classic Yuletide/Christmas carol, “The Christmas Song.” This tree was once very abundant and quite tall, but was nearly wiped out by a fungal disease called chestnut blight. It was a very common tree in the ancient world. The leaves are quite attractive and could be used as an ornamental tree if not for the fact that they are more of a memory or a legend than an abundant tree. There is, however, a current attempt to reintroduce them back into the wild. If you encounter a chestnut tree, it is probably the Chinese chestnut that looks virtually identical.
Medicinal Properties: Nuts are used as a food source for animals and humans. They are high in starch and carbohydrates, provide a small amount of protein, vitamin C, phosphate, iron, sodium, and are gluten-free. Nuts can be roasted, toasted, grilled, steamed, boiled, and eaten raw if peeled or made into flour, hence the name “bread tree.”