Sweet Chestnut
From Floor Coverings
Contents |
Wood Species
Sweet Chestnut
Biological name
Castanea sativa
Originates from or commonly found in
Southern Europe and Turkey
Physical appearance
The Sweet Chestnut tree can grow to a height of 100 feet. The tree trunk has a diameter of 4-6 feet. The bark is smooth and grey. The flowers emerging from stems are long, thin, green and grainy. When Chestnuts ripen, they are brown and rounded, like acorns. The sapwood of chestnut is white to light brown, while the heartwood is grayish-brown to brown in color.
Flooring Properties
The Sweet Chestnut wood carries on the appearance of the American Chestnut, which is now commercially extinct due to the chestnut blight. The European Sweet Chestnut is the ideal choice to replace the void left behind. Sweet Chestnut is quite soft relative to any species of hardwood. This softness make the wood sometimes difficult to saw properly. Pre-boring is suggested yet the wood holds nails well once applied. Glue holds well with chestnut flooring. This species sands fairly well but does mar easily under heavy traffic. Sweet Chestnut ambers over time to a medium tan-brown color.
Janka Rating
Sweet Chestnut has a hardness rating of 540.
