Chestnut (Dunstan)
Castanea dentata × mollissima 'Dunstan'
A remarkable American-Chinese chestnut hybrid that brings back the beloved American chestnut with blight resistance from Chinese genetics. These fast-growing trees produce sweet, large nuts that roast beautifully and offer the authentic chestnut flavor that was nearly lost to disease. Dunstan chestnuts are perfect for wildlife food plots and home orchards, combining nostalgia with modern disease resistance.
Harvest
120-150d
Days to harvest
Sun
kas-TAN-nee-uh den-TAY-ta
Zones
5–8
USDA hardiness
Height
50-75 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Chestnut (Dunstan) in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 nut-tree →Zone Map
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Chestnut (Dunstan) · Zones 5–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: kas-TAN-nee-uh den-TAY-ta. Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 50 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: more than 60 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: High. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruit is a 2-2.5 inch wide prickly burr that opens about first frost. 2-3 sweet, edible nuts then drop to the ground in September to October.
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Nut. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Nuts from this species are edible.
History & Origin
Origin: E. Canada to N. Central & E. U.S.A
Advantages
- +Wildlife value: Larval host plant for butterflies
- +Edible: Nuts from this species are edible.
Considerations
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Comfrey
Deep roots mine nutrients and provide mulch, accumulates potassium beneficial for nut production
Clover
Fixes nitrogen in soil, provides ground cover and erosion control under canopy
Elderberry
Compatible growth habit, attracts beneficial insects, both prefer similar soil conditions
Wild Ginger
Thrives in partial shade under chestnuts, provides natural ground cover and pest deterrent
Hazelnut
Compatible nut tree, different harvest times, shares similar soil and climate preferences
Serviceberry
Understory shrub that tolerates chestnut shade, attracts pollinators and beneficial wildlife
Ramps
Native woodland plant that thrives under chestnut canopy, natural pest deterrent
Ferns
Shade-tolerant ground cover, helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds
Keep Apart
Oak Trees
Strong competition for water and nutrients, both are dominant canopy trees
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to chestnuts and inhibits their growth
Apple Trees
Compete for similar nutrients and both susceptible to shared fungal diseases
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 overall disease resistance
Common Pests
Chestnut weevil, gall wasps, deer, squirrels
Diseases
Chestnut blight (resistant), root rot in poorly drained soils