Chinese Chestnut
Castanea mollissima · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Fagaceae
Tree Category
Nut tree / Shade tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (wild-type or standard seedling)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8.
About This Tree
A medium to large spreading tree with a rounded to broad-rounded crown, featuring dense green foliage, deeply furrowed bark, and prominent spiny husks holding edible nuts.
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, simple, oblong-lanceolate leaves ranging from 4 to 8 inches long, with sharply serrated margins, prominent parallel veins, and a glossy dark green upper surface.
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown to gray bark with deep, longitudinal fissures and ridges that become scaly and thick as the tree matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to China and Korea, widely cultivated across temperate regions globally.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring, produces inconspicuous catkins in late spring followed by spiny burrs containing nuts maturing in autumn, and drops leaves entering dormancy in late fall.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Moderate drought tolerance once established, but requires regular moisture during the growing season for optimal nut production.
Mature Size
Reaches a height of 40 to 60 feet with an equal or greater spread, growing at a moderate to fast rate with a lifespan of several decades.
Special Characteristics
Highly resistant to the chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) that devastated American chestnuts, producing large, sweet edible nuts and attractive yellow-to-bronze fall foliage.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides a valuable food source of protein-rich nuts for squirrels, jays, deer, and other wildlife, while its dense canopy offers nesting habitat for birds.