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Castanea mollissima

Also Known As

Castanea mollisima
Chinese Chestnut

Plant type

tree, fruit / vegetable

size

H: 40'-60'
W: 60'

planting zones

4a-8b

More Options

Castanea mollissima plant details

Castanea mollissima is a broadleaf deciduous fruit / vegetable or tree with gold and green foliage. In spring cream and white flowers emerge followed by brown fruit. Features glossy texture. Grows well with sun and regular water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in acidic, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Castanea mollissima

Plant type: fruit / vegetable or tree
Plant family: fagaceae
Foliage: deciduous gold and green
Mature size: 60 FT wide, 40 FT - 60 FT - tall
Flowers: cream and white blooms in spring
Uses: disease-resistant, easy-to-grow, edible, fall color, fragrant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Castanea mollissima

USDA Zones: 4a - 8b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: heat and humidity
Soil needs: acidic, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Chinese Chestnut is a deciduous tree that produces edible nuts in September and October. This is different from the American Chestnut that was almost decimated in the early 20th century. This tree is chestnut blight resistant. They are deer resistant but they will eat the nuts. Chinese Chestnut needs at least 2 or more trees planted close to ensure good cross pollination.

By: Maples N More Nursery

2 needed for good pollination Chestnuts ripen in September. These are attractive, fast growing trees. The Chinese chestnut is larger than it's American counterpart. Its sweeter too. Grafting a scion from a mature tree will speed the nut bearing production and aid in more thorough pollination. Choose your site carefully as these will develop into very large trees.

By: jiovi® at Foxgreen Farm

Don't roast these by an open fire they are much better eaten raw, the roasted ones are disgusting, trees are chestnut blight resistant and will reach 60' high with a wide spreading crown.

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Too coarse as an ornamental - used as rootstock for superior nut-bearing selections.

By: Heritage Seedlings

Medium-to-large tree with glossy green foliage, producing large 3-4" burrs which may contain 3 to 7 sweet nuts. Delicious roasted. Highly resistant to the chestnut blight. Self-fruitful, but bears more if cross-pollinated with another. We have some growing now (May 2010) in quart pots that will be ready by mid-summer. Send a note, and I will enter you on a 'notify' list.

By: Almost Eden

Famous for it's nuts but also a wonderful shade tree with showy, fragrant flowers in June. Good fall color. Doesn't mind summer heat and humidity. Drought tolerant when established but needs watering in youth. Planting more than one tree facilitates cross-pollination and generally better nut production. A medium size trees, generally to 40' it occasionally (rarely) reaches 60'. Resistant (but not immune) to Chestnut blight. Perfect for "roasting on an open fire" with "Jack Frost nipping at your nose..."