Castanea mollissima

Chinese Chestnut

A medium to large deciduous nut tree valued for its sweet, edible chestnuts and notable resistance to chestnut blight. Long, glossy green leaves give a bold, coarse texture through summer, turning yellow to golden brown in fall. Creamy catkins appear in early summer, followed by spiny burs that split open in autumn to release the nuts.


Plant Characteristics


Type: Deciduous nut tree



Form: Rounded to spreading canopy



Mature Width: 40–60 ft



Mature Height: 40–60 ft



Flower Color: Creamy white catkins



Foliage Color: Dark green; yellow fall color



Nut: Medium to large, sweet-flavored chestnuts




Growing Conditions


USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a–8b



Light: Full sun



Soil: Deep, fertile, well-drained soils; prefers slightly acidic loams



Water: Moderate; drought tolerant once established



Maintenance: Moderate; benefits from pruning and pest monitoring




Pollination
Requires cross-pollination with another Chinese chestnut or compatible chestnut cultivar for reliable nut production.


Landscape Uses
Nut orchards, farms, large residential properties, edible landscapes, and agroforestry plantings. Also suitable as a shade tree where space allows.


Care Tips


Plant at least two chestnut trees for best nut set



Harvest burs promptly when they split in fall



Avoid poorly drained or compacted soils

Plant type

Fruit Tree, Nut Tree

Height

40-60'

Width

40-60'

Hardiness zones

4–7

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Slow

Bloom time

Early Summer, Late Spring

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Yellow

Soil

Clay, Loamy well-drained

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Nuts, Specimen

Shape

Rounded, Spreading

Bark

Corky

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No