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American Chestnut

Castanea Dentata

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Overview

The American Chestnut, Castanea dentata, once a dominant hardwood in eastern forests, towers up to 100 ft with a broad crown. Tragically reduced by blight, this fast-growing tree features oblong, toothed leaves and produces spiny burs enclosing edible nuts. Thriving in well-drained soils across USDA zones 4-8, its majestic form and showy catkins make it a striking choice for spacious landscapes with full sunlight.

Sun FullWater Extra in Summer, Medium, Very LowZones 5–8Type TreeClimate Temperate
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — tree with white and yellow blooms

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Extra in Summer, Medium, Very Low
USDA zones
5–8

Shape & size

Mature height
50–75 Ft.
Mature width
40–50 Ft.

Classification

Type
Tree
Family
Fagaceae
Climate
Temperate

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Photos (80)

American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — Efforts to restore blight-resistant varieties continue, image 50
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — creamy-yellow catkins that are not only visually appealing; once a dominant hardwood in eastern forests
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — toothed leaves and produces spiny burs enclosing edible nuts
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — Sadly, the American Chestnut has been severely affected by the chestnut blight, a fungal disease
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — These leaves turn a rich yellow-brown in fall, image 41
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — By late summer, the tree produces its notable spiny burs, each containing two to three glossy, brown nuts
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — By late summer, the tree produces its notable spiny burs, each containing two to three glossy, brown nuts; adding
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — These nuts were once a crucial food source for wildlife and humans alike.<br><br>The tree prefers well-drained
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — its majestic form and showy catkins make it a striking choice for spacious landscapes with full sunlight
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — making it a suitable choice for larger landscapes that can accommodate its size
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — These nuts were once a crucial food source for wildlife and humans alike.<br><br>The tree prefers well-drained; sadly
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — towers up to 100 ft with a broad crown; providing generous shade.<br><br>Its deeply furrowed bark and oblong
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — this fast-growing tree features oblong
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — an adult tree can reach between 70 to 100 feet with a diameter spanning up to 10 feet; thriving in well-drained soils
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — once a dominant hardwood in eastern forests; this fast-growing tree features oblong, image 55
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — which are about 5 to 8 inches long
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — its majestic form and showy catkins make it a striking choice for spacious landscapes with full sunlight; these nuts
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — an adult tree can reach between 70 to 100 feet with a diameter spanning up to 10 feet
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — making it a suitable choice for larger landscapes that can accommodate its size; an adult tree can reach between 70 to
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — tree with white and yellow blooms; but are also an important source of nectar for native bees
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — which are about 5 to 8 inches long; tree for full
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — but are also an important source of nectar for native bees; known for its towering height and broad canopy
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — Thriving in well-drained soils across USDA zones 4-8; which are about 5 to 8 inches long, image 60
American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) — providing generous shade.<br><br>Its deeply furrowed bark and oblong
Photographs by 10 contributors

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