Chestnut (Bouche de Betizac)
Castanea sativa × C. crenata 'Bouche de Betizac'
A remarkable hybrid chestnut that produces exceptionally large nuts rivaling the famous European chestnuts while maintaining blight resistance from its Japanese heritage. Bouche de Betizac yields nuts so large they're often called 'marrons' and are prized for roasting, with a sweet, creamy texture that's perfect for holiday traditions. This vigorous tree combines the best qualities of both parent species, making it ideal for home orchards seeking premium chestnuts.
Harvest
120-150d
Days to harvest
Sun
kas-TAN-nee-uh sa-TEE-vuh
Zones
5–7
USDA hardiness
Height
80-100 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Chestnut (Bouche de Betizac) in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 nut-tree →Zone Map
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Chestnut (Bouche de Betizac) · Zones 5–7
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: kas-TAN-nee-uh sa-TEE-vuh. Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 80 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: more than 60 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Edible fruit in the form of nuts held in spiny protective husks called cupules. This prickly outer layer deters squirrels and other seed predators from getting to the nuts within them, before they are shed in October.
Type: Nut.
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Once a staple food in Europe but now enjoyed as a delicacy. Historically, chestnuts were ground into flour or coarse meal.
History & Origin
Origin: Western Asia and Southeastern Europe.
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Poor Soil, Salt
- +Attracts: Bees, Small Mammals
- +Wildlife value: The nuts attract birds and other wild life.
- +Edible: Once a staple food in Europe but now enjoyed as a delicacy. Historically, chestnuts were ground into flour or coarse meal.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Comfrey
Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, provides mulch and improves soil structure
Clover
Fixes nitrogen in soil, provides ground cover and prevents erosion
Daffodils
Deters rodents and deer that may damage chestnut roots and bark
Lavender
Attracts beneficial pollinators and repels harmful insects
Yarrow
Accumulates potassium and phosphorus, attracts beneficial insects
Wild Bergamot
Attracts native pollinators essential for chestnut flower pollination
Elderberry
Compatible understory plant that attracts beneficial insects and birds
Fescue Grass
Provides erosion control without competing heavily for nutrients
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill chestnut trees
Pine Trees
Acidifies soil excessively and competes for similar nutrients
Eucalyptus
Allelopathic compounds inhibit growth of nearby trees and plants
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170575)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent resistance to chestnut blight
Common Pests
Chestnut weevil, gall wasp, aphids, scale insects
Diseases
Root rot, ink disease, twig cankers (rare)