Why Are Chestnut Burrs So Thorny?

The chestnut is the seed of the chestnut tree. This seed is very important for a new chestnut tree to grow. To protect it from being eaten by animals or insects, the chestnut has sharp thorns on its cover, or burr. When the seed is ready to grow, the burr breaks open and seeds pops out. The burr of the chestnut, like the cap of the acorn, or a modification of that portion of the pistil late flower known as the protective sheath. The thorns on the burr are a self-defense mechanism. Persimmon or apple tree seeds are surrounded by the flesh of the fruit, which remains inedible until the seed is ready to reproduce.