How to Prune Chestnut Trees

Chestnuts are a winter classic, long used as a staple food throughout Europe and North America. While today most people think of roasted chestnuts as a winter tradition, chestnuts can also be milled for flour. Popular dishes include chestnut crepes, chestnut bread, chestnut-stuffed duck and marron glacé, a French candied chestnut. Chestnut trees require little pruning to maintain the health of the tree but should be pruned in their first five to 10 years to maintain a nice shape.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Inspect the tree for any diseased or dying branches that should be removed. Clear any diseased branches now so that no bacteria spreads to healthy limbs and the infected branches don't pose a danger if they fall.

2. Remove any low-growing branches, especially while the tree is developing. They can pose a hazard to children or animals. Trim back until you are almost at the main branch, then leave a little collar, so as not to accidentally injure the tree's main branch.

3. Cut back any suckers, easily identified because these grow straight up or down. These will impact the shape of the tree if left unchecked.

4. Remove most low-hanging side branches that are 5 feet or under if you have a young tree. The tree can direct its energy into upward growth, and you don't want strong low branches developing.

Tips & Warnings

• While you don't need to prune a mature tree annually, you should inspect the tree for diseased wood.

• The general goal of pruning is to remove 30 percent of the wood, so don't get overzealous.

References

• The Chestnut Grower: A Primer