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Chinese Chestnut
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Uncommonly planted, the quirky Chinese Chestnut Tree has much to offer the homeowner looking for something a little out of the ordinary. In summer, this relative of the noble Beech Tree sports bizarre, fluffy, 8-inch-long cream-colored catkins that have a heavy fragrance (some like the scent; some don’t). In fall, the flowers have morphed into the proverbial chestnuts that you can roast on an open fire while Jack Frost nips at your nose. The local wildlife will enjoy the bounty, too. (A second Chestnut Tree in the vicinity may be necessary for cross-pollination to ensure a good harvest.) Chestnuts or no chestnuts, you’ll look forward to the amber tones this tree’s distinctive toothed leaves take on before falling in autumn.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-8
- Spacing: 40-50'
- Exposure: Full Sun
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Recommended by Our Growers
The Story
Uncommonly planted, the quirky Chinese Chestnut Tree has much to offer the homeowner looking for something a little out of the ordinary. In summer, this relative of the noble Beech Tree sports bizarre, fluffy, 8-inch-long cream-colored catkins that have a heavy fragrance (some like the scent; some don’t). In fall, the flowers have morphed into the proverbial chestnuts that you can roast on an open fire while Jack Frost nips at your nose. The local wildlife will enjoy the bounty, too. (A second Chestnut Tree in the vicinity may be necessary for cross-pollination to ensure a good harvest.) Chestnuts or no chestnuts, you’ll look forward to the amber tones this tree’s distinctive toothed leaves take on before falling in autumn.
The Details
The Chinese Chestnut typically forms branches low on the trunk, which give the tree its characteristic broad-rounded habit. In time, this branching pattern makes for a tree that is fantastic for climbing or for just sitting in on a warm summer day.
How to Grow
Performing best in somewhat acidic, loamy soil (not pure sand or clay but something in between), Chinese Chestnut is easy to please where soils are deep and rich, although it can also cope with situations that are less than ideal. Give it a site in full sun. Like most trees, Chinese Chestnut needs regular water during the first couple of years in the ground, but after it’s established, it can handle hot, dry weather on its own, as long as the drought isn’t unusually severe. While not immune to the blight that killed most of the American Chestnuts, this species is resistant to it. Properly feeding, watering, mulching, and pruning your tree will go a long way towards keeping it strong and disease-free.
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