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American chestnut (Castanea dentata) - Zone 4a
American chestnut (Castanea dentata) - Zone 4a
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Castanea dentata: Originally widespread in northeastern America at the beginning of the last century, the American chestnut is the hardiest species of the genus Castanea. Today, this species, once important in North American forest ecology, is endangered due to the importation of a fungal disease: chestnut blight. Although its natural range ends at the Quebec-Vermont border, in isolated cultures of infected chestnut trees, several growers have successfully cultivated this tree in climate zone 4a and harvested its fruit. Its chestnuts are smaller and sweeter than the average hybrid and Chinese chestnuts.
Habitat
Habitat
Soil Types
Chestnut trees of all species do not like soils where water accumulates. Transplanting into soil with a water table less than 60 cm deep results in the death of the plant by root asphyxiation after 2 months.
Being mountainous species, chestnut trees prefer aerated and acidic soils with a pH ranging between 5 and 6. It is possible to cultivate chestnut trees in very acidic soils with a pH of 4.5 or more basic with a pH of 6.5. The species best suited to alkaline soil types would probably be the European chestnut (Castanea Sativa), but again, these should be hybrid chestnut seedlings (for hardiness and disease resistance) grown in alkaline soils.
Hardiness
Generally, the presence of American chestnut (Castanea dentata) increases the hardiness of crosses. This is not a rule without exception. The most important factor is the seed source. Therefore, a seed from a hybrid chestnut grown in Quebec will be more adapted to the Quebec climate than an American chestnut from Kentucky.
Disease Resistance
The main disease affecting chestnut trees is Chestnut Blight (Cryphonectria parasitica). Pure American and European chestnut trees are not resistant and typically die three years after infection.
In addition, a second disease, an infection related to molds present in moist soils, Phytophthora cinnamomi, similarly affects European and American chestnut trees. Chinese and Japanese chestnut trees are resistant to it, hence the interest in hybridizing different chestnut species and planting hybrids.
Size and habit
Size and habit
American chestnut trees are the most vigorous and straightest-growing trees of the Castanea genus. They can reach up to 10m in height, and the oldest ones in Quebec are approaching 50 years of age.
We recommend planting the trees 10m apart, center to center.
Pollination
Pollination
For effective pollination, we recommend planting at least two American chestnut trees.
Source
Source
Our seeds are harvested in the Lanaudière region.
