Castanopsis hainanensis seed

LATIN NAME: CASTANOPSIS HAINANENSIS

COMMON NAME: Hainan Chinkapin

The Hainan chinkapin cups the tall, evergreen tree with the glossy, toothed, green leaves and the dense, upright clusters of the small, cream-white flowers that open through the early summer, the round, spiny burs following and opening in the autumn to reveal the sweet, edible nuts. The tree grows into the stately, rounded form, and it stands the warm, moist weather well. It likes the sun, and the deep, moist, well-drained soil.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

In the beech family, the chinkapins have a long, nutty record in the studies of the warm-forest trees, and the hainanensis species appears in the research on the nut chemistry and the evergreen growth. The food scientists value the sweet kernels, while the foresters note the fine timber. The seed biology fills out the picture, and the growers of the warm-climate nut trees keep the species in their catalogues.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

In the warm garden and the woodland, the Hainan chinkapin cups the nuts in the spiny burs. The sweet kernels serve the fresh eating and the roasting, they feed the wildlife through the autumn, and the timber serves the construction and the furniture. It thrives in the deep, moist, well-drained, sunny ground. Stately, evergreen and nut-generous.

To grow the Hainan Chinkapin from seed,

Press the seeds into the deep, sandy drills of the cold frame, then cover them lightly, keep the frame in the bright, cool spot and water gently

Keep the frame bright and gently watered, and pot the seedlings on in the spring. The first nuts come after a few seasons.

. The seedlings appear within a few weeks, and they grow on steadily. Settle the young trees in the deep, moist, well-drained ground, and the sweet nuts will cup the autumn over the years.