Benefits of Planting a Chinese Chestnut Tree in Your Landscape

The Chinese chestnut tree, Castanea mollissima, is aptly named after its original home, mainland China. It is a wild tree that can grow anywhere from forty to sixty feet tall in maturity. The tree is resistant to the common Chestnut blight and tolerates common pests such as deer, which is beneficial for the lifespan of the tree. The tree grows well in hardiness zones 4 through 7 and prefers a well-drained soil type with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).

How to Grow and Care for a Chinese Chestnut Tree Successfully

After planting, this tree will grow two to three feet annually. It takes about three to five years to produce fruit after planting, which is more than most trees take to flower and produce fruit. Because this tree is apt to produce fruit, it is essential to remember to cultivate an outdoor space that is amenable to pollinator life.

The Chinese Chestnut tree is a medium-sized, low-canopy type; it provides shade for those hot afternoons. The tree's leaves are beautiful, dark green, and average about a half-foot length (five to eight inches). This deciduous tree provides a spot of shade and produces beautiful mellow and yellow-white flowers. After these showy flowers fall, they are replaced by hardened nuts of a lovely brown color. These low-lying trees are an excellent addition to your backyard or garden because they are low maintenance and gorgeous to view.

Why the Chinese Chestnut Tree Is a Must-Have for Nut Lovers

In particular, the large leaves provide a talking point because they are oblong and very shiny, giving the Chinese chestnut tree a different look than the traditional deciduous trees of the United States. In the fall, the leaves go from a rich green to a calm yellow and brown before shedding. In landscaping, the Chinese Chestnut tree can be a wonderful centerpiece of your outdoor space or can be used to fill in the outside of your space for a beautiful, lush perimeter.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Plant bare root trees during the dormant season in early spring or late fall (November through April). Dig the hole twice as wide as the roots so the soil is well-drained. Position the tree so the root flare is at or just above ground level. Fill the hole back with the soil you dug from and water. Maintain soil moisture, especially in the tree's early years, by providing deep, regular watering. Apply a 2-4 inch mulch away from the trunk at the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Prune trees during the first few seasons to establish strength and resilience, remove damaged branches, and continue maintenance pruning as the tree matures. Regularly inspect for pests and diseases and apply integrated pest management practices. Protect young trees from mechanical damage and extreme temperatures with tree guards, and stake them if necessary for support, removing the stakes after one or two years.

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