Castanea mollissima

Chinese kastanje / Chinese chestnut

Fagaceae (Napjesdragersfamilie)

Asia (east)

Back View cultivars and rootstocks

Edible plant part (1)

Nuts
Read 'form of consumption' for safe preparation methods

Toxic plant part (1)

None

Chinese chestnut belongs to the canopy layer in the food forest. In the process of ecological succession it is a mid and late species. The growth rate is medium. Fully grown the plant has an average height of 10 to 20 meter and a width of 10 to 20 meter.
The foliage (or leaf cover) is dense.
This species forms a deep root system. This species is slightly spreading in the food forest. Chinese chestnut is no nitrogen fixer.

Disclaimer: The types of cultivars and hybrids in this database have been carefully chosen for good quality properties for food forests. They do not mean instant success. Food forestry is still a young field in which it is a core value to have the right plant in the right place and to focus on great diversity.

foto: F.D.Richards, https://www.flickr.com/photos/50697352@N00/10107713725

foto: F.D.Richards, https://www.flickr.com/photos/50697352@N00/10107713725

foto: Zhangzhugang, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castanea_mollissima,_Hangzhou_Botanical_Garden_2018.06.03_15-39-04.jpg

Growth factors

Frost (whole plant): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Frost (flowers): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Light: full sun

light shade

half shade

fairly deep shade

deep shade
Wind: strong sea wind

strong wind

some wind

sheltered

very sheltered
Soil texture: sand

loam

light clay

heavy clay

peat
Soil moisture: inundation

wet

moist

dry

drought
Groundwater level: very low

low

medium

high

very high
Soil acidity: very acid

acid

slightly acid

neutral

alkaline
Soil fertility: very rich

rich

average

poor

very poor

Voorkeur

Ongeschikt

Flowering and pollination

Flowering period (peak): early june, mid june, end of june, early july, mid july, end of july
Flowering period (length): several weeks
Pollination vector: insects, wind
Plant reproductive fertility: self sterile

Life Span and Plant Health

Disease susceptibility

sensitive

Main serious pests and diseases

chestnut weevil, gnomoniopsis

Harvest and Consumption

Nuts

Harvest location edible part: Ground layer
Harvesting period - start: Early october, mid october, end of october
Harvesting period - length: Several weeks
Harvesting period - uniformity: Medium
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand, simple tool
Form of consumption: Fresh, processed
Natural storability: Several weeks, year
Suitable markets: Niche
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 7
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 30

Culinary appreciation

High value, sweeter than most other chestnut varieties. Can be ground into flour, candied, frozen, or made into cream.

References