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.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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
more than 60 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in. | Width: 50 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Broad; Dense; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblong
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
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.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Catkin; Insignificant
Flower detail
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.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Nut
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
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.
Bark color
Light Gray
Bark detail
Light gray broad flat ridges often spiral around the trunk.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Brown to orange-brown or reddish-brown twigs are glabrous and covered with scattered white lenticel. Brown buds are smooth.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
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
Host plant for
butterflies
Play value
Shade; Wildlife Larval Host
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Nuts
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Nut
Edibility
Nuts from this species are edible.
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.
Landscape Use
Landscape theme
Native Garden
Garden tags
#deciduous #NC native #food source hard mast fruit #food source herbage #larval host plant #mammals #food source fall #butterfly friendly #deer resistant #bird friendly #non-toxic for cats #non-toxic for horses #non-toxic for dogs #Audubon #disease problems #rare #frequent disease problems