Sweet chestnut trees are a rare sighting in this district, but Silsden Park is fortunate to have two beautiful examples. Sited at the lowest edge of the soccer field, overlooking PJ Motors, these are often overlooked.

Our photograph, taken earlier this autumn by John Liddle, shows the grander of the two. Sweet chestnuts are a native of Mediterranean countries and are thought to have been brought here by the Romans.

 The fruit of the tree is a green spiky husk, which splits in autumn to reveal up to three edible nuts, although British summers are mostly too cool for the chestnuts to ripen fully.

* Our Tree of the Week feature will now go into hibernation until early spring when we shall be back to bring you the best of our local trees in new leaf. Nature is just amazing!