Sweet chestnut
![]() |
The sweet or Spanish chestnut is not native to Britain and was probably first transported from the Mediterranean and Asia Minor by the Romans. Here it does best on the lighter soils in southern England. In Kent and Sussex, large areas are still actively coppiced on a 12 to 16 year rotation. The stems are cut back to the base or stool, several new shoots grow up and develop into straight poles, used for posts, fuel and cleft paling fences. In the recent past, the main market for chestnut coppice was for hop poles, as it is a very stable timber, so movement, distortion or splitting is reduced.
This species is well adapted to the acid soils of the High Weald, and grows vigorously on well drained slopes. A sustainable yield of 6 m3 per hectare per annum can be achieved - 100 tons of growth over 15 - 20 years. Chestnut grows very straight on good sites, and is valued for durable fencing materials, from paling to post and rail. Coppicing and cross-cutting to length takes place to meet market specifications, at any time from 12 yrs to 25 years. A new crop arises from the cut stumps, and as long as the shoots are protected from animals, this process is renewable for many cycles.
When allowed to grow to maturity, this tree yields a good quality timber resembling oak, but lighter, weaker and more easily worked. It is prone to suffer from a variety of structural weaknesses.
Chestnut has been the focus of research and development work for a number of years, to find modern uses for this local product. A finger-jointing technique to create long sweet chestnut cladding panels was developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and structural data is available for its use in structural applications. Some of these innovative local products are displayed as part of the Woodland Enterprise Centre Building, located in Sussex.
Today sweet chestnut cladding is often available single piece random lengths (1.8 – 3.5mt+) depending on the cycle or now as a result of the finger-jointing technique it is available in standard 4.0mt finger jointed lengths. The jointed technique allows shorter lengths of sweet chestnut to be used reducing sawmill waste. Sweet chestnut It durable and stable partly because of the high tannin content, which will leach from the boards in the first few month of installation, and can cause streaks and stains. Because of the tannin, austenitic stainless steel fixings should be used to prevent corrosion.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Confederation of Timber Industries.
- Delivering sustainable low energy housing with softwood timber frame.
- Environmental plan.
- European Union Timber Regulation.
- Forests.
- Forest ownership.
- Forest Stewardship Council.
- Green Seal.
- Legal and sustainable timber.
- Legally harvested and traded timber.
- Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.
- Rapidly renewable content.
- Sustainability.
- Sustainable materials.
- Sustainable Wood.
- Sustainably procuring tropical hardwood.
- Timber.
Featured articles and news
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.