The leaves of chestnut trees are lanceolate and ovate. The leaves are alternate, simple, 10–22 cm long and 4.5–8 cm broad, with a toothed margin. Names of Sweet Chestnut in various languages of the world are also given. The nuts are sweet, and considered by some to have the best taste of any chestnut,[7] though others state they are not as good as the American chestnut. Mature leaves are light green and paper-thin, and droop down from the twigs. Uses, Benefits, Cures, Side Effects, Nutrients in Sweet Chestnut. It is grown as … Chinese chestnut reaches a height and spread of about 40 feet in a sunny, open exposure and a well-drained soil. The nuts are edible, and the tree is widely cultivated in eastern Asia; over 300 cultivars have been selected for nut production, subdivided into five major regional groups: Northern, Yangtze River Valley, Sichuan and Guizhou, Southern, and Southwestern. Flowers of the Chinese Chestnut are particularly foul smelling, and reportedly can spoil a late-spring barbecue. Most of established Chestnuts are Chinese, and they have a very distinctive apple tree shape, rounded with multi-stemmed trunk (see next column). The leaves are glossy and dark green. Chestnut tree leaves are simple and ovate, and the flowers bloom in spring and summer. pendula X. Y. Zhou & Z. D. Zhou; C. sativa Miller var. Its flowers are pungent, and its nuts quite sweet. The chestnut tree produces clusters of edible nuts. Castanea Castanea. It is glossy and heavier than American leaves. Chestnuts grow on the trees inside spikey burs, each about an inch (2.5 cm.) It usually branches close to the ground making it a good candidate for a specimen or as a tree to climb. Castanea mollissima (Chinese chestnut) Chinese chestnut trees range in resistance to chestnut blight from very susceptible (as susceptible as American chestnut trees) to … We purchased Chinese Chestnut trees from Miller's Nursury approximately 6 - 10 years ago. [1][2], Synonyms: Castanea bungeana Blume; C. duclouxii Dode; C. fargesii Dode; C. formosana (Hayata) Hayata; C. hupehensis Dode; C. mollissima var. The Chinese species is not used as a residential or street tree because of the smell of the flowers and the fruit, nut and leaf litter shed annually. European chestnut (Castanea sativa) is also susceptible to these chestnut diseases, but Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) is resistant. Green leaves turn to yellow, gold and brown in autumn. The flowers are produced in catkins 4–20 cm long, with the female flowers at the base of the catkin and males on the rest. mollissima (Blume) Pampanini; C. vulgaris Lamarck var. [6] Some cultivars, such as 'Kuling', 'Meiling', and 'Nanking', have large nuts up to 4 cm diameter. American Leaf (left): Leaf is long in relation to its width Large, prominent teeth on edge; bristle at the end of each tooth curves inward Base of leaf blade tapers sharply Leaf is very thin and papery, Chinese Leaf (right): Leaf is oval-shaped Teeth are smaller Base of leaf blade is rounded Leaf is thick and waxy-feeling, American Leaf (left): Elongated leaf Large, prominent teeth on edge; bristle on teeth curves inward Blade tapers sharply to meet stem at base of leaf blade Light green underside on leaves exposed to the sun, Chinese Leaf (right): Oval-shaped leaf Small teeth on edge Base of leaf blade rounded Underside of sun leaves look whitish because of many hairs, Pointed buds that angle away from the stem Stems smooth and hairless Stem color reddish brown to dark green Small but numerous lenticels on stem, Rounded buds that hug the stem Hairy stems and hairy leaf veins Stem color tan to pea-green Large lenticels (bumps) on stem, Slender Angle sharply out from stem Usually fall off in June, Broad Cover the buds Remain on the stem through September, American Chestnut Burs: A dense mass of long, slender spines Spines are 2 to 3 cm long, 0.5 mm thick Up to 3 nuts per bur, Chinese Chestnut Burs: A sparse mass of short, thick spines Spines are 1 to 2 cm long, 1 mm thick Up to 3 nuts per bur, American Chestnuts: Nuts are relatively small, 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter Tips of American chestnuts are pointed Nuts are hairy over 1/3 to 2/3 of length from pointed end Vascular bundles in a sunburst pattern on hilum end 2 to 3 nuts in each bur, Chinese Chestnuts: Nuts are relatively large, 3/4 to 2 inches in diameter Tips of Chinese chestnuts are rounded Only the tips of the nuts are hairy Vascular bundles in a diffuse pattern on hilum end 2 to 3 nuts in each bur. [1], It is a deciduous tree growing to 20 m tall with a broad crown. Many cultivars are very cold tolerant. Long-stalked, deciduous, palmate green leaves … Chinese Chestnut Castanea mollissima The Chinese Chestnut is a medium sized tree that produces a sweet tasting chestnut for consumption. American Nut —— Chinese Nut Burs are at the end of the branch with up to 3 nuts per bur. Chestnut blight, plant disease caused by the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica (formerly known as Endothia parasitica).Accidentally imported from Asia, the disease was first observed in 1904 in the New York Zoological Gardens.By 1925 it had decimated the American chestnut (Castanea dentata) population in an area extending over 1,600 km (1,000 miles) north, south, and west of its entry point. Chinese chestnut trees range in resistance to chestnut blight from very susceptible (as susceptible as American chestnut trees) to very resistant. Chinese chestnut trees grow leaves with fine, fuzzy hairs on the lower surface. This is a deciduous tree, so it loses the leaves in the winter, but makes up for it with a striking bare silhouette. yunnanensis Franchet.[1]. In the 1890s, Chinese and Japanese chestnuts were imported to the United States with the intention of utilizing them as orchard trees due to their small, compact size compared to the towering American chestnut. Chinese chestnut has a pleasingly round crown and is often selected as a hardy street tree. The tree produces delicious and edible nuts called chestnuts or Chinese chestnuts. As the American chestnut struggles with disease, the blight-resistant Chinese chestnut is quick gaining popularity. 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