×2Wildlife
- Small mammals
Squirrels, deer and other small mammals eat the fallen nuts.
Ships bare root
Mature plant shown. Yours ships dormant and bare root.
What arrives
1 dormant bare-root plant, about 2–3 ft tall
- No leaves, no pot, no soil. Roots packed moist.
- Ships in your zone's planting window.
- Leafs out about 4–8 weeks after planting.
tree · edible
Chinese Chestnut
Castanea mollissima
- Ships 2–3 ft tall
- 1 plant, bare root
- Zones 4–8
- Grows 40–60 ft
$11.95Was $14.95Save 20%
No reviews yet. Be the first to reviewThe quick answer
Chinese chestnut is a blight-resistant nut tree for USDA zones 4-8 (most reliable in zone 5 and warmer) that grows 40-60 ft tall and 30-40 ft wide in full sun. Plant at least two seedlings for cross-pollination; trees start bearing sweet, roastable nuts in 3-5 years.
When it ships to you
Zone scheduleHow many?
This plant needs a partner. Chinese chestnuts need pollen from a different tree to set a good crop, so plant at least two seedling Chinese chestnuts within about 100 ft of each other.
Expert recommendedPollination partners we sell
-
×2Plant 2 Chinese ChestnutEach seedling is genetically different, so two or more pollinate each other.
Planting a hedge or row?
Free shipping on orders $75+$75
Healthy deliveryOr we replace it
Shipped dormantTimed to your zone
1-year warrantyStore credit, terms
Chinese Chestnut plant profile
Mature size40–60 ft tall · 30–40 ft wide
Typical (40 ft)Up to 60 ft
Rounded, spreading crown that often branches low.
USDA hardiness zones4–8
Sun & growth
SlowMediumFast
Plant in full sun for the best nut crop. Nuts in about 3–5 years.
SoilpH 5.5–6.5
4 acidic6.59 alkaline
Needs well-drained, slightly acidic soil; avoid heavy clay and wet sites.
Edible harvestPlant two or moreYellow to yellow-brown fall color
Flowers & fruit
- Nuts in 3–5 yrs
- Edible
Long creamy catkins bloom in early summer, followed by spiny burs holding 1-3 sweet, edible nuts that drop in fall.
Leaves & fall color
Yellow to yellow-brown in fall. Glossy, coarsely toothed dark green leaves turn yellow to yellow-brown in fall.
Pests & disease
Resistant to chestnut blight; twig cankers and chestnut weevils can occur.
Pruning
Prune in late winter to remove dead, crossing or crowded branches.
Pollination
One Chinese Chestnut won't give you much of a crop. Two will.
Chinese chestnut needs cross-pollination: plant at least two seedling trees within about 100 feet of each other for good nut set. Shipping on one plant is $9.95 and on two it's $10.95, so the second plant adds just $1 in shipping.
Bare root vs potted
Skip the garden-center markup.
Garden centers buy young plants, pot them, grow them another season and mark them up. We ship yours dormant and bare root, timed to your planting window.
Bare root, from us$11.95ships dormant
Example: 3-gal potted American hazelnut$70–$140online retail prices checked Oct 2026
A year with your Chinese Chestnut
SPRINGGlossy toothed leaves emerge
SUMMERLong, creamy, strong-smelling catkins in early summer
LATE SUMMERSpiny green burs swell on pollinated trees
FALLBurs split and drop sweet nuts; leaves turn yellow-brown
Questions people ask about Chinese Chestnut
Do I need two Chinese chestnut trees to get nuts?
Yes. Plant at least two seedling Chinese chestnuts within about 100 ft of each other for good nut set.
How long until a Chinese chestnut produces nuts?
Seedling trees usually start bearing in 3-5 years, and a 10-year-old tree can produce about 10-15 pounds of nuts.
Is Chinese chestnut resistant to chestnut blight?
Yes. It is resistant to chestnut blight, though twig cankers can still occur.
Will Chinese chestnut survive a zone 4 winter?
It is rated to zone 4, but Iowa State notes it is most reliable through zone 5, so give it a sheltered, well-drained site in zone 4.
What soil does a chestnut tree need?
Well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Avoid heavy clay and wet spots.
What arrives when I order a Chinese chestnut?
A dormant bare-root seedling, 2-3 ft tall, with no leaves. Order two or more for pollination.
Plant it in 4 steps
- Soak the roots in cold water overnight before planting.
- Dig twice as wide as the roots; plant at the depth it grew.
- Water, then mulch. No fertilizer the first season.
- Plant its partner nearby.
Plant facts checked October 2026 against: Iowa State University, Morton Arboretum.