Chinese Chestnut
Castanea mollissima · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Fagaceae
Tree Category
Nut Tree and Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type or common orchard selections (e.g., 'Colossal')
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8.
About This Tree
A medium-sized, rounded, spreading deciduous tree with a dense canopy, known for its sweet, edible nuts enclosed in extremely spiny husks (burs) and dark green foliage.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves, oblong-lanceolate in shape, measuring 4 to 8 inches long, with sharply serrated margins and a pubescent (hairy) underside, turning yellow-brown in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown to gray bark with shallow longitudinal fissures and flat ridges, developing a slightly ridged and furrowed texture as the tree matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to China and Korea; widely cultivated in North America and temperate regions globally.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring, produces inconspicuous catkins in early summer, drops spiny burs and nuts in autumn, and enters winter dormancy.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Moderate drought tolerance once established, but dislikes wet or poorly drained soils.
Mature Size
Reaches a mature height and spread of 40 to 60 feet with a moderate to fast growth rate and a lifespan of several decades.
Special Characteristics
Highly resistant to the chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) that devastated the American chestnut. Produces delicious, large edible nuts and has attractive fall color.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides a vital food source for squirrels, deer, jays, and other wildlife that consume the protein-rich nuts. The dense canopy offers nesting sites and cover for birds.