Chestnut (Chinese)
Castanea mollissima
The Chinese chestnut offers hope for restoring chestnut production in North America with its natural resistance to chestnut blight that devastated American chestnuts. These fast-growing trees produce sweet, starchy nuts perfect for roasting and have become increasingly popular among homesteaders and permaculture enthusiasts. The trees are also valued for their beautiful fall color and relatively compact size compared to their American cousins.
Harvest
120-150d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
4–8
USDA hardiness
Height
40-60 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Chestnut (Chinese) in USDA Zone 7
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Chestnut (Chinese) · Zones 4–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Root Cutting, Seed, Stem Cutting.
Harvesting
The oval, round shaped nut ranges from 1 to 3 inches in length. The nut is crisp, meaty and sweet, though not as sweet as American chestnuts. It is good for fresh-eating, roasting, boiling and baking. Ripens in mid or lat September through October. Edible chestnuts are encased in spiny dehiscent burs (2 to 3 inches in diameter), usually 2 to 3 nuts per bur.
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Nut. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: Seeds can be baked and consumed.
History & Origin
Origin: East Asia, China to North Korea
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought
- +Wildlife value: Wildlife Enhancement
- +Edible: Seeds can be baked and consumed.
- +Fast-growing
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Nitrogen-fixing legumes (Clover)
Fixes nitrogen in soil, improving fertility for the chestnut tree
Comfrey
Deep roots mine nutrients and provide mulch, accumulates potassium
Oak trees
Share similar soil preferences and create beneficial forest ecosystem
Wild garlic
Natural pest deterrent and may help prevent fungal diseases
Elderberry
Attracts beneficial insects and birds, compatible growth habits
Hazel
Compatible nut tree with similar soil and light requirements
Ferns
Thrives in partial shade under canopy, helps retain soil moisture
Wild strawberries
Good ground cover that attracts pollinators and beneficial insects
Keep Apart
Black walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to many plants including chestnuts
Apple trees
May compete for similar nutrients and both susceptible to similar fungal diseases
Eucalyptus
Allelopathic compounds inhibit growth of nearby plants
Pine trees
Acidifies soil excessively and competes aggressively for water and nutrients
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, good general disease resistance
Common Pests
Chestnut weevil, gall wasps, Asian chestnut gall wasp
Diseases
Root rot (in poorly drained soils), occasional fungal issues