Hybrid Chestnuts

These chestnuts have more Chinese and European genetics and significantly less American chestnut genetics and as such will generally be resistant to the chestnut blight. The nut size is larger and the growth pattern of the trees is more spreading and usually a notch smaller than the more American types we sell. These trees are more likely to suffer winter damage in Northern Vermont than more American types.

We recommend planting a few hybrids with more reliable disease resistance in the mix with more american types in hopes of increasing potential resistance in the next generations of trees.

Plant chestnuts on a well drained site with good sun. Space them 20-35 ft apart. Give them some love and attention, keeping weeds and deer back for the first few years. Sometimes leaves on young trees show signs of iron deficiency (yellowing between the veins) which can be corrected with sulfur (we sell sulfur for $1/plant). Once settled in they are rapid growers. With any luck, mature trees can be 35-50 ft tall.

PLANT 2-3 FOR POLLINATION, will cross with other chestnuts.

Add sulfur to your order for $1/plant (sulfur is suitable for organic production.) Strongly recommended.