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 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.