Castanea dentata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kas-TAN-nee-uh den-TAY-ta
- Description
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The American Chestnut was a stately and important tree found in mesic (moderate moisture) and xeric (dry) forests. However, Chestnut blight has made this species nearly extinct in its natural habitat. Typically in the wild, it sprouts easily from old stumps and roots, may reach 20 feet tall and produce a few nuts before succumbing to the blight again. Work is being done to produce a blight-resistant variety.
Most chestnut trees are grow in the west where the blight is not present. In the eastern part of the state, growers are planting Asian and European varieties.
Due to its susceptibility to blight, this tree is not recommended for use in the home landscape. Other species that do not have these issues can be chosen for use as shade trees.
See recommendations to the left for other native trees that are less problematic.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Very susceptible to the blight Cryphonectria parasitica. It is also susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildew. Insects includ aphid, Asian Chestnut Gall Wasps, Two-Lined Chestnut Borers and weevils.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Castanea
- Species:
- dentata
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Very decay-resistant wood was used for various purposes prior to the introduction of the chestnut blight in 1906. It was called the farmer's friend.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Canada to N. Central & E. U.S.A
- Distribution:
- AL , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Larval host plant for butterflies
- Play Value:
- Shade
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat and drought tolerant.
- Edibility:
- Nuts from this species are edible.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 50 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Dense
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- more than 60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a 2-2.5 inch wide prickly burr that opens about first frost. 2-3 sweet, edible nuts then drop to the ground in September to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Yellowish-white male flowers bloom from June to July on 4-8" long catkins. Female flowers are insignificant and appear on smaller catkins. Appear mid-summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 4-9 in. long and 1.5-3 in. wide dark green leaves are simple and alternate. Margins with coarse teeth that have bristly tips. Fall color yellow-gold.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- Light gray broad flat ridges often spiral around the trunk.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Brown to orange-brown or reddish-brown twigs are glabrous and covered with scattered white lenticel. Brown buds are smooth.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
