Castanea mollissima
Chinese Chestnut

Castanea mollissima - Overall Tree in Summer
 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
Yellow (Pale yellow or creamy monoecious catkins; appear in late May; release unpleasant odor)
 Foliage Notes:
Red (Leaves emerge reddish in spring); Green (Dark, lustrous green leaves in summer); Yellow (Shades of yellow to bronze in fall)
 Fruit Notes:
Brown (Edible nuts enjoyed by both man and animal)
 Ultimate Height:
40-60 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
40-60 feet
 Fruiting Times:
 Light Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Prefers well drained, loamy soils
 Range:
Northern China and Korea
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves are alternate, simple (3-8" long by 2-2.5" wide) elliptic-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, cuneate at base, teeth triangular or aristae, lustrous dark green above, whitish tomentose or green and soft-pubescent beneath. Petioles are usually hairy and rough (0.5"). Bark is gray brown to brown and strongly ridged and furrowed. Fruits are edible, chestnut brown in color, and enclosed in a prickly involucer which splits at maturity.
  Special Characteristics:
  • Food/Edible 88
  • Slow Growth Rate 272
  • Specimen 630
  • Street Tree 140

    • Additional Information

    Overall tough and durable, but can be susceptible to blight, twig canker, and orient chestnut wasp. Also susceptible to weevils, which damages the roots. Prefers well-drained, loamy soils, full sun, and hot, arid conditions.

    When Castanea mollissima has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

    Flowering

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

    Fruiting

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

    3 Castanea mollissima found

    Building Map...

    = Heritage plant = Memorial plant
    Number Accession ID Location
    1ORIG_8435*ANLSN
    2ORIG_6212*ATERY
    3ORIG_8436*AHARR

    Other plants like this Castanea mollissima (Chinese Chestnut)

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