Sweet Chestnut

I know there is going to be a plethora of iconic autumn shots over the next few weeks but I couldn'y resist this wee clump of Sweet Chestnut husks and fruit which was blown off a tree nearby. Also known as Spanish Chestnut, these are the ones we eat at Hallowee'n but alas not our native ones. The trees do well here but not so the nuts, which never reach eating size although they do germinate in the ground and become saplings.

Having done a considerable amount of wood turning and fretwork over the years, I can tell you that the timber works wonderfully, and particularly when turned, produces lovely bowls. The bonus from the woodturners point of view is the gorgeous aroma released as the timber warms up under the blade of the turning tool. Sweet and aromatic.