American vs Chinese chestnut tree care

The chestnut occupies a central place in the history of North American forests. *Castanea dentata* -- the American chestnut -- was once one of the dominant trees of the eastern deciduous forest, providing food for wildlife, timber, and an important food crop. Chestnut blight (*Cryphonectria.

The chestnut occupies a central place in the history of North American forests. Castanea dentata — the American chestnut — was once one of the dominant trees of the eastern deciduous forest, providing food for wildlife, timber, and an important food crop. Chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica), introduced from Asia around 1900, eliminated the American chestnut as a mature canopy tree within decades. Only root sprouts persist today, as the roots are resistant to blight and continue sending up stems that are subsequently killed by blight before reaching maturity.

Chinese chestnut (C. mollissima) is blight-resistant, productive, and adapted to zones 4-9. It is the primary chestnut species planted in American home orchards today.

I don't grow chestnuts at my zone 7a Long Island plot. This guide is sourced from Penn State Extension and the American Chestnut Foundation.

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Species comparison

Per Penn State Extension:

Blight-resistant American chestnut: The American Chestnut Foundation has developed "Restoration Chestnuts" (BC3F3 hybrids) through repeated backcrossing of American chestnut with Chinese chestnut. These trees have approximately 94% American chestnut genetics and the Chinese blight resistance gene. They are not yet widely commercially available but are distributed through ACF chapters.