(Castanea mollissima)
For reliable nut production, Chinese chestnuts are ideal. Mature trees can produce 50+ pounds of nuts annually, and unlike most nut trees, Chinese chestnuts produce a strong crop every single year! Chinese chestnuts have the largest nuts and highest blight resistance of any chestnut. The nuts are larger than American chestnuts and sweeter than European chestnuts. Chinese chestnuts evolved with the blight fungus that killed the American chestnuts, so they are very resistant to the disease and generally only weakened trees are susceptible. These are reliable, underutilized, easy to grow trees that can start producing in as little as 3 years after planting. We’ve found they do well planted in 5-6’ tree tubes, making them a very easy tree crop to grow in areas with high deer pressure but no deer fencing.
We offer 100% Chinese chestnut seedlings that have been selected for particularly large nuts, and also seedlings of hybrid chestnuts which have Chinese blight resistance and large nut genetics coupled with some American genes known for sweeter nuts and a taller tree form.
Flavor profile: Earthy, buttery, sweet, sweet potato
Hardiness zone: 5-8
Light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained soil with pH 5.5-6.5
Mature height: 40’+
Spacing: 30-50’ apart
Pollination: All seedling chestnuts are genetically distinct, so you will need at least 2 trees for cross-pollination, but 3+ is ideal.
Planting tips: Make sure your planting hole has good drainage by digging a large hole and stabbing the bottom and sides with a shovel so water can drain. Fill the hole with native soil to help water disperse evenly. Consistent watering is crucial for newly planted trees to help minimize transplant shock and establish strong roots.
We are unable to ship this product outside the contiguous US or to California, Oregon, Washington, and Florida.
All fall 2025 orders are for dormant, bare root plants and will be shipped or available for pick up in October-November. Ordering closes November 1st.
(Castanea mollissima)
For reliable nut production, Chinese chestnuts are ideal. Mature trees can produce 50+ pounds of nuts annually, and unlike most nut trees, Chinese chestnuts produce a strong crop every single year! Chinese chestnuts have the largest nuts and highest blight resistance of any chestnut. The nuts are larger than American chestnuts and sweeter than European chestnuts. Chinese chestnuts evolved with the blight fungus that killed the American chestnuts, so they are very resistant to the disease and generally only weakened trees are susceptible. These are reliable, underutilized, easy to grow trees that can start producing in as little as 3 years after planting. We’ve found they do well planted in 5-6’ tree tubes, making them a very easy tree crop to grow in areas with high deer pressure but no deer fencing.
We offer 100% Chinese chestnut seedlings that have been selected for particularly large nuts, and also seedlings of hybrid chestnuts which have Chinese blight resistance and large nut genetics coupled with some American genes known for sweeter nuts and a taller tree form.
Flavor profile: Earthy, buttery, sweet, sweet potato
Hardiness zone: 5-8
Light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained soil with pH 5.5-6.5
Mature height: 40’+
Spacing: 30-50’ apart
Pollination: All seedling chestnuts are genetically distinct, so you will need at least 2 trees for cross-pollination, but 3+ is ideal.
Planting tips: Make sure your planting hole has good drainage by digging a large hole and stabbing the bottom and sides with a shovel so water can drain. Fill the hole with native soil to help water disperse evenly. Consistent watering is crucial for newly planted trees to help minimize transplant shock and establish strong roots.
We are unable to ship this product outside the contiguous US or to California, Oregon, Washington, and Florida.
All fall 2025 orders are for dormant, bare root plants and will be shipped or available for pick up in October-November. Ordering closes November 1st.
