Hello, I have a sweet chestnut tree, a 'marron de lyon', which I planted about 10 years ago from a reputable supplier. It produces hundreds of flat, shrivelled chestnuts every year and only about 2 or 3 plump edible ones. It sits in a good location in clay soil near a compost heap and although the area is definitely not waterlogged, it is about 3 or 4 meters from a ditch, where its roots would able to access wet soil if they want to.
How can I make it produce more plump, ripe, edible chestnuts?
Thanks.

MikeH said:Hello, I have a sweet chestnut tree, a 'marron de lyon', which I planted about 10 years ago from a reputable supplier. It produces hundreds of flat, shrivelled chestnuts every year and only about 2 or 3 plump edible ones.

A single tree is your explanation for unfilled nuts.

What do you mean - "a single tree is my explanation"? are you suggesting that they need to be pollinated by another tree? or that it feels a bit lonely. I thought that it would self-pollinate.

'Marron de Lyon' is supposed to be a self-fertile cultivar. According to the followng article sweet chestnut pollinaton can be poor if the weather is cold or wet at flowering time. They also suggest underplanting with plants that attract bees.

http://www.fruitandnut.ie/ches...