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Chinese Chestnut (Castanea mollissima) - Zone 5b
Chinese Chestnut (Castanea mollissima) - Zone 5b
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Castanea mollissima - Since the early 20th century, Chinese chestnut genetics have been imported into North America with the aim of producing larger nuts that are easier to cook. Trees in this category are pure Chinese chestnuts or Chinese-type hybrid chestnuts selected for the hardiness of the mother plants and the quality of their nuts.
Habitat
Habitat
Soil Types
Chestnut trees of all species do not like soils where water accumulates. Transplanting into soil with a water table below 60 cm results in the death of the plant due to root asphyxiation after 2 months.
Being mountainous species, chestnut trees prefer aerated, 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 even more basic soils with a pH of 6.5. The species best suited to alkaline soil types would probably be the European chestnut (Castanea Sativa), but even then, these should be hybrid chestnut seedlings (for hardiness and disease resistance) grown in alkaline soils.
Hardiness
Generally speaking, 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 better 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 humid soils, Phytophthora cinnamomi, affects European and American chestnut trees in the same way. 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
Chinese chestnut trees growing in full sun with no competition generally have low apical dominance.
As the populations are highly diverse, the vigor, habit, and height of each of our seedlings will be highly variable.
We recommend planting the trees 7m apart, center to center.
Pollination
Pollination
For effective pollination, we recommend planting at least three chestnut trees, with a maximum of one male sterile pollen chestnut tree.
Source
Source
Our selections are outstanding individuals worthy of propagation by seed from commercial orchards or university research centers.
