Chestnut
Chestnut
(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 out of the public mind and are a very underutilized crop in the United States. This is changing, though, as interest in the chestnut is growing and many blight resistant varieties are being planted. The nuts have a wide variety of uses and can be roasted, boiled or ground into flour. Chestnuts generally crop consistently year to year.
We have four seedling varieties available this year:
Chinese Chestnut: 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. Plant at least two for pollination. These one year seedlings are 12-18" tall. Generally hardy to zone 5.
Seedlings of Marigoule:
Marigoule is a European and Japanese hybrid that produces very sweet nuts and has resistance to root rot, which allows it to more easily tolerate wetter soils than other chestnuts. There are mixed reviews on blight resistance, but consensus seems that it is fairly susceptible. Growers in areas of low blight pressure may have the best success. Keep in mind these are seedlings of Marigoule and will be different from the parent tree. Plant at least two for pollination. These one year seedlings are 10-16" tall. Hardy to zone 6.
Seedlings of Tsukuba: a Japanese variety that is blight resistant and tolerates poor soils. Tsukuba produces large, sweet nuts. Keep in mind these are seedlings of Tsukuba and will be different from the parent tree. Plant at least two for pollination. These one year seedlings are 8-11" tall. Hardy to zone 5.
Colossal: a European and Japanese hybrid known for large nuts. It is fairly susceptible to blight and root rot so this is one probably best suited for growers in areas with low blight pressure and well drained soil. Keep in mind these are seedlings of Colossal and will be different from the parent tree. Plant at least two for pollination. These one year seedlings are 8-10" tall. Hardy to zone 5.
Chestnuts cannot be shipped to: CA, OR, WA.