Chestnut Seedlings (Castanea spp.)

Chestnuts are remarkable trees that have inspired many people across the world with their beauty, tenacity and incredible food production ability. Historically, chestnuts were deeply woven into American culture, but when chestnut blight was inadvertently introduced to our shores the native chestnut (C. dentata) was functionally eliminated from the landscape. Nowadays, chestnuts exist mostly out of the public mind and are a very underutilized tree crop in the United States. This is changing, though, as interest in chestnuts is growing and many blight resistant varieties are being planted. Chestnuts produce an annual crop of nuts unlike many other nut trees that only produce large crops in mast years. The starchy nuts, which have a pleasantly sweet flavor, have many uses and can be roasted, boiled, used in soups and stews, or ground into flour. We offer bare root seedlings of Chinese and hybrid chestnut both of which have resistance to chestnut blight. Chestnuts seem to prefer well drained, loamy soils, but with care can be grown in heavier clay soils as well. They are monoecious and while can technically self pollinate they require other genetically different chestnuts nearby in order to produce a meaningful crop. Chestnuts are wind pollinated so be sure to plant relatively close to each other (no more than 100’ or so). Generally hardy in zones 5-8.

We have several varieties available this season:

Chinese Chestnut:

Chinese chestnut is an excellent tree that is highly resistant to chestnut blight and generally produces medium to large nuts that are well suited for human or wildlife consumption. Our seed is gathered locally from mature, healthy parent trees. We offer bare root seedlings at least 12” tall. Generally hardy in zones 5-8.

Hybrid Chestnut:

These trees were grown from seed collected from a pair of mature, local trees that are very productive. They appear to be hybrid trees with predominantly Chinese characteristics. The medium sized nuts are notably sweet right off the tree. The parent trees do show some signs of blight, but have grown for several decades without succumbing so they are fairly tolerant of it. These will be excellent for wildlife but also good enough for human consumption. We offer bare root seedlings 12” or taller. Hardy to zone 5.

Seedlings of Red Szego:

‘Red Szego’ is a red leafed seedling of the cultivar ‘Szego’, which is a vigorous complex hybrid. Many of these seedlings are showing the red leaves as well. Some are very red and others are more faint. These are beautiful trees with excellent parentage. 12”+. Hardy to zone 5.

Seedlings of Red Liu:

‘Red Liu’ is a seedling of ‘Liu’ that is very red leafed. We are offering seedlings of ‘Red Liu’ so the red trait is present in some but in varying degrees. The cultivar ‘Liu’ is a very high quality tree that is very resistant to blight and produces good nuts. 12”+. Hardy to zone 5.

Seedling of Stehli Qing:

 Stehli Qing is an exceptional seedling selected from a large planting of ‘Qing’ seedlings grown by chestnut grower Bob Stehli. We are offering seedlings of that tree. Seed was sourced from Perfect Circle Farm. The grandmother cultivar ‘Qing’ is a great tree that offers high blight resistance and large nuts with good flavor. 12”+.Hardy to zone 5.

Seedlings of Precoce Migoule:

‘Precoce Migoule’ is a hybrid between C. Mollissima and C. sativa that ripens early and is good for northern climates. Produces medium to large nuts. Moderate blight resistance. This year I am offering small B grade seedlings sold in packs of 3. At least 10” tall.  Hardy to zone 5.

Chestnuts cannot be shipped to: CA, OR, WA.