Alphabetical Plant Listing

Castanea mollissima (Chinese Chestnut)

Chinese Chestnut


Castanea mollissima (Chinese Chestnut) is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a short trunk and an open rounded crown adorned with wide-spreading branches. The lustrous dark green, coarsely serrated leaves, 5-8 in. long (12-20 cm), turn yellow to golden brown in the fall. In late spring to early summer, showy but foul-smelling, creamy-white flowers appear in catkins. They give way to clusters of 2-3 edible chestnuts which are encased in spiny dehiscent burs, 2-3 in. across (5-7 cm). The nuts are not as sweet as the American Chestnut (Castanea dentata). However, the Chinese Chestnut is resistant to chestnut blight, a disease that has nearly wiped out the native American chestnut. A beautiful specimen shade tree for lawns. Keep in mind that falling chestnuts may pose a litter problem if not harvested.

  • Grows up to 40-60 ft. tall and wide (12-18 m).
  • Performs best in moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Drought tolerant once established. Tolerant to summer heat and humidity.
  • Generally pest free. Keep an eye out for chestnut blight, leaf spot, anthracnose, and twig and stem cankers. Deer resistant.
  • Propagate by seed or grafting
  • Native to Korea and China.

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Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 8
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Castanea - Chestnuts
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 40' – 60' (12m – 18m)
Spread 40' – 60' (12m – 18m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow

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Chen Peng, Daryak, Note OMG, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 8
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Castanea - Chestnuts
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 40' – 60' (12m – 18m)
Spread 40' – 60' (12m – 18m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow

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