Plants in genus castanea
Castanea mollissima
Castanea mollissima, or Chinese chestnut, is a deciduous tree known for its high yield of sweet, edible nuts. It features a massive trunk and wide-spreading crown, with glossy green leaves that turn yellow and gold in fall. The tree is blight-resistant and requires another cultivar for pollination. It thrives in well-drained, moist, loamy soils and full sun, and is drought-tolerant once established.
Castanea dentata
Castanea dentata, or American chestnut, was once a dominant tree in Eastern forests before nearly going extinct due to a fungus in 1904. It produces long, fuzzy catkins with white flowers and green spikey seed pods containing edible nuts. This tree is hardy in USDA zones 5-8 and supports a wide range of wildlife.
Castanea sativa 'Colossal'
Castanea sativa 'Colossal' is a large shade tree that produces bright yellow flowers and up to 50 pounds of chestnuts. It is a hybrid cross between Japanese and European Chestnut, known for its resistance to Chestnut blight. This sun-loving tree thrives in well-drained soil.