Hybrid Chestnut
Plant Type: Dormant, bare-root
Zones: 5-9
Soil Type: Loamy & Sandy Soils
Site Selection: Full Sun
Mature Height & Width: 40-60' Height and 30-40' Spread
Growth Rate: Moderate/Fast - 12-24+" per year once established
Moisture Requirements: Average soils






Hybrid Chestnut
Castanea dentata X mollissima
At one time, the American Chestnut tree was regarded as the most significant forestry tree in the eastern half of the United States. It was valued for its nuts which were used for food, and its large logs which were used in timber production. The chestnuts were packed with nutrients and were the primary fodder for numerous animals including deer, turkeys, bears and squirrels. In the early 1900’s, chestnut blight was inadvertently imported from Asia. By the 1950’s, the blight had wiped out tens of millions of acres of chestnut trees, leaving a void in America’s hardwood ecological community and greatly changing the landscape.
Our Hybrid Chestnut bridges the divide between the American Chestnut and the Chinese Chestnut. These two varieties have been bred together and exhibit the best traits of both species. The nuts which are produced are sweet and large like the American Chestnut, but the tree itself exhibits the blight-resistance of the Chinese Chestnut.
Requires Pollinator. Plant at least 2 Hybrid Chestnuts. We recommend 3 or more for best pollination and nut production. Ideal spacing for nut production is between 30-40' apart.
Our Hybrid Chestnuts can start producing nuts as early as 3-5 years after planting, depending on site selection, care and climate conditions. In colder regions, such as USDA zone 5, trees may begin bearing nuts between 5-7 years. They are hardy, adaptable to a variety of growing conditions, and can thrive in USDA zones 5-9. These trees produce consistently heavy annual crops of large, sweet-tasting nuts (with no tannins), averaging 20-35 nuts per pound. After 10 years, trees can yield up to 20 lbs of nuts, and as much as 50-100 lbs at full maturity. The trees require a minimum of 300 chill hours for chestnuts to fully ripen, so it’s important to ensure that your area meets this requirement.
Our Hybrid Chestnut seedling trees are among the top choices and most widely planted chestnut varieties in America. They combine excellent nut quality and tree form with resistance to blight. They are ideal for both commercial and backyard orchards and are also excellent for attracting deer and wildlife.
Common uses for the Hybrid Chestnut:
- Large shade tree
- Produces an edible chestnut
- Chestnut provides an excellent source of food for wildlife
The Hybrid Chestnut produces a nut which many types of wildlife enjoy. The chestnut is a valuable food source for deer, black bear, raccoon, chipmunk, hares, squirrels, turkey, grouse and quail.