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Cape chestnut
Calodendrum capense
Wild chestnut(Eng.), Kaapse kastaiing(Afr.)
A medium-sized tree with beautiful fragrant soft pink flowers in Summer. The grey stem is slow-growing, but the wood is light and useful for furniture and will not twist and bend when dried. The trees are often spotted when in flower in indigenous forests spaced widely - and visible from the N2 driving past Wilderness to Knysna. A tree that should be considered planting more widely in our gardens!
Planning
Difficulty
Moderate
Flowering time
Summer
Fruiting time
Summer
Harvesting
Wood is lightly colored and dries straight - used in furniture.
Propagation
Seed
Sow seeds in sandy soil mix in a nursery and keep moist.
Special features
Geography
Origin
Coastal and mountain forests of South-Africa. Found from Swellendam to Soutpansmountain and North until Kenia.
Natural climate
Temperate and Subtropical areas.
Environment
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Full Shade
Soil moisture
Wet
Soil type
Loam
Soil PH preference
Acid, Neutral
Frost hardiness
Tender
Personality
Family
Rutaceae
Flower colour
Soft pink-purple with dark spots.
Scent
Strong
Problems
Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies)
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