CHESTNUT TREES IN LES MARTYS, FRANCE

Chestnut trees, Castanea sativa, Les Martys, France
Chestnut trees, Castanea sativa, Les Martys, France

Walking in a cool, upland forest in the  Montagne Noire (The Black Mountains) in the south of France near Carcassone, we stumbled upon a Chestnut tree.  This one is the European variety, Castanea sativa.  There were many of them, some very tall specimens.  We got a glimpse of what the American Chestnuts must have been like, being that these are so similar in appearance.

Chestnut trees, Castanea sativa, Les Martys, France
Chestnut trees, Castanea sativa, Les Martys, France

We noticed the blight on the bark, and upon close inspection we found trees that were dead in the middle with many shoots around the side, a familiar sight in northeastern America.

Chestnut trees, Castanea sativa, Les Martys, France
Chestnut trees, Castanea sativa, Les Martys, France

It turns out that the European Chestnut is also effected by the blighting fungus introduced from Chinese Chestnuts, however they are not as severely affected as the American Chestnuts.

It was exciting to see these Chestnuts growing amidst European Beeches and Oaks on this cool hillside!

 Isabelle Dijols with ferns, Les Martys, France
Isabelle Dijols with ferns, Les Martys, France

The ferns in these woods were taller than Isabelle.

4 Replies to “CHESTNUT TREES IN LES MARTYS, FRANCE”

  1. I am very suprised about your articel. I know the environment of the black mouintains already for more the 40 years and I have always thought that the trees were crafted. I have seen the trees with the dead middles and the roots growing out. But I have seen also healty trees from may centuries opld. The bad ones has small crops, the old and healty ones has much bigger crops. In france from history these trees were used for food and France peolple are crafted everything already fo centuries.

    Regards
    Ab Mantel
    Les Martys

    1. Ab, Thank you so much for your comment.Les Martys is such a beautiful part of France, and our discovery of the Chestnut trees has been enriching. it is interesting to learn of their cultivation in the region and we are not surprised. Hopefully we will return to Les Martys and maybe find the older, healthier trees, full of tasty chestnuts!

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