Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima)

More resistant than any other chestnut species to the blight fungus, its nuts are sweeter and finer textured

than those of the Japanese chestnut, and they are usually larger than those of the American chestnut. The

chestnuts most commonly found for sale in country stores are Chinese. Most Chinese chestnuts do not

have good timber form; their shape resembles an apple tree. Their leaves are quite variable. Compared to

American leaves, those of Chinese chestnut are more oval shaped (oval-lanceolate), with the tips abruptly

tapered and the base more rounded; the intervals along the edges between the teeth are not remarkable,

and the underside of leaves are covered with downy hairs, soft to the touch (therefore the designation,

mollissima). The Chinese chestnut is the hardiest of Asian chestnuts, with a natural range extending from south

China to north of Beijing. In the southern part of its range, it is found at higher elevations; in the northern range,

it thrives only on the better sites, particularly lower mountain slopes where it has some protection, good air

drainage, good soil and the advantage of underground water from the slopes above. There are many different

varieties of Chinese chestnuts, and their hardiness varies. Generally they grow vigorously on good sites in the

United States and are seldom injured by blight. However, owing to a poor site, drought, or winter injury, they

are sometimes severely attacked and killed by blight.

European chestnut (Castanea sativa)

Nearly as tall as the American, the European chestnut has a similar growth habit, tall and straight in the forest,

spreading in open settings. It is slightly less blight-susceptible than American. It's nuts are about the same size

as Chinese, but sweeter. It's leaves are quite variable, at a glance, easily confused with American hybrids.

Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata)

The Japanese chestnut grows wild in the mountains and hills of Japan. Not as tall as the American, its nuts range

in size from that of the American to that of the European chestnut. Usually the nuts are large, coarse in texture

and poor in flavor. The leaves are quite variable. Compared to the American, the Japanese chestnut leaf has a

similar long sharp tapering tip, but a blunt base; its teeth are very small and poorly defined.

Henry chinkapin (Castanea henryi)

Native in middle China from the coast to the far west, the Henry chinkapin grows 75 to 90 feet tall with a straight,

symmetrical trunk. In the United States, the Henry chinkapin seems to be more susceptible than the other Asiatic

species to freezing temperatures and the blight fungus.

Ozark chinkapin (Castanea ozarkensis)

Native to the Ozarks, this tree grows up to 60 feet tall. It is susceptible to blight. Leaves are very similar to

American chestnut, the same shape and deeply toothed. The distinguishing sparse hairs on the underside of

leaves may not be visible to the naked eye. The bur is slightly larger than Allegheny chinkapin and holds a single

small plump nut.

Seguin chestnut (Castanea seguinii)

Usually no taller than 30 feet, the Seguin chestnut grows in the warm climate of southern China. Nuts of the Seguin

are very small. In the United States this species grows well only in the Southeast.

Allegheny chinkapin (Castanea pumila)

This small tree or spreading shrub grows in dry woods in the east from New Jersey and Pennsylvania south to

Florida and Texas. It is susceptible to blight. The sharply tapered base of the leaves resemble American chestnut;

the leaf tip is pointed but not elongated, and the broader part of the leaf is near the tip (obovate-lanceolate); the

sculpting along the edges, between the teeth, and the downy undersides of leaves resemble Chinese chestnut.

One inch burs each hold one tiny, very sweet, plump nut.