American Chestnut
Castanea dentata

Height: 80-100'
Width: 60-80'
Hardiness Zone: 3b
Exposure: sun or light shade
Origin: native to eastern United States from southern Maine to Michigan and south to Alabama

Description:

Once was the majestic trees of the forests in eastern United States. It has rather large 5-6” long by 2-2½” sharply toothed leaves. Male flowers are 4-5” long, white catkins. Fruit is a nut borne in 2-3” round, very prickly husks. Develops a yellow fall color.

Site and Cultural Requirements:

Prefers rich, moist soil. Tolerates shade well but prefers full sun.

Insect/Disease Issues:

Chestnut blight has basically wiped out the plant in its native range. Young trees from trunk sprouts and occasional seedling can still be found in the forests but no large trees are left.

Cultivars:

No disease resistant cultivars are available at this time.

 

We would like to thank the Landscape Plant Development Center and Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for the botanical information and photos.

Open 9:00 AM until Sunset
Closed Mondays, open holidays
Phone: (515)-992-4211
Email: info@thebrentonarboretum.org