With leaves changing colour, nuts ripening and squirrels busy, autumn is a magical time in woodland areas. Chestnut trees are prevalent in many British woods, and captivate us at this time of year with their golden and russet leaves and multitude of nuts. The sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) is easily recognised by its sea urchin-like fruit cases, usually hanging in groups of three, and its glossy lanceolate leaves with serrated edges. In contrast, the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) has a smoother case, and leaves that can be as wide as 30 cm.

Horse chestnuts were introduced to Britain from Eastern Europe in the late 16th century and are eaten only by deer, cattle and, of course, horses. To many of us, the beautiful, smooth nuts are a reminder of childhood conker games, which were first recorded in 1848 and modelled on a 15th-century version that was played with hazelnuts.

Whether in their husks or not, horse chestnuts make stunning autumn decorations. Try filling a leaf-lined rustic bowl or basket with a collection of nuts and spiny shells. A bowl of these makes an unusual table centrepiece, while a partly sliced conker can act as a seasonal place-name holder; write your guests' names on sweet chestnut leaves and tuck them into the slit.

Sweet chestnuts, on the other hand, are deliciously edible, a fact probably first discovered by the Romans – who ground them into flour. Today, you will find them roasted on braziers on city streets or made into delectable marrons glacés in France. If you are roasting your own chestnuts, remember to split the skins first or they'll explode. Once done, the sweet nut inside can be chopped or blended to add to stuffings, stews and soups (mushroom is particularly good), or used to make sweet chocolate and chestnut cake. Alternatively, combine sweet chestnuts with Brussels sprouts for Christmas celebrations.

GROWING CHESTNUT TREES
Before you set about planting a chestnut, remember that they grow into large trees – up to 35 m tall. Unless you have a large woodland garden, avoid the horse chestnut completely and choose instead a sweet chestnut, which can be cultivated to a more manageable size and produces beautiful blossom in late June and early July, after almost all other trees. They are poor self-pollinators, however, so you need to plant more than one tree. Bear in mind that the nuts themselves will only grow to full size in an exceptional British summer, so don't rely on a plentiful harvest. The sweet chestnut is also a good source of wood when the tree is young (between 10 and 25 years). The wood is pliable and more durable than oak for fencing, while coppiced shoots are traditionally used for hop poles.

GATHERING NUTS
• Combine an autumn walk with some nut gathering, but first check locally if you can do this, as nuts are an important winter food store for many animals. Call your local borough or council, or go online for details about local chestnut walks.
• For those who want to relive their glory conker days, why not enter or watch the World Conker Championships, held in the picturesque Northamptonshire village of Ashton. The annual event tales place on the second Sunday in October each year, with teams from all over the world. Visit www.worldconkerchampionships.com for more information.

NOVEMBER 2005
WORDS AND STYLING JACKY HOBBS
PHOTOGRAPHS MICHELLE GARRETT