American x Chinese Hybrid Chestnut Tree Seeds | Hybrid Chestnut | (Castanea dentata var. x mollissima)
American x Chinese Hybrid Chestnut Tree Seeds | Hybrid Chestnut | (Castanea dentata var. x mollissima)
Blight resilience, fast growth, and legacy nut production for wildlife and homesteads.
Castanea dentata var. x mollissima is a hybrid chestnut developed by crossing the iconic American chestnut with the disease resistant Chinese chestnut. The result is a powerful restoration and food producing tree that combines improved blight tolerance with vigorous growth, cold hardiness, and reliable nut production.
This hybrid is widely used in reforestation, wildlife plantings, and homestead orchards. It establishes quickly, tolerates a range of soils, and produces high energy nuts that are highly valued by deer, turkey, bears, and small mammals. Mature trees form a strong, upright canopy reminiscent of the historic American chestnut.
Why Grow American x Chinese Hybrid Chestnut?
- Improved chestnut blight resistance compared to pure American chestnut
- Excellent wildlife mast producer
- Fast growing and long lived canopy tree
- Ideal for reforestation, homesteads, and food forests
- Cold hardy and adaptable to diverse soils
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Castanea dentata var. x mollissima
- Common Names: American x Chinese Hybrid Chestnut
- Germination Rate: 75%
- Harvest Year: 2024
- Seed Source: Eastern and Midwestern USA
- Stratification: Cold moist stratification required
- USDA Zones: 4–8
- Soil: Well drained loam preferred but adaptable
- Light: Full sun
- Mature Size: 40–60 ft tall × 30–40 ft wide
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Packet Sizes: 5, 10, 25, 50, or 100 seeds
Ecological Importance
- Nuts provide critical fall food for wildlife.
- Flowers provide nectar for native bees and pollinators.
- Supports rewilding by restoring a keystone mast producing tree role.
Fun Facts
- American chestnuts once made up nearly one quarter of eastern hardwood forests.
- Chestnut wood is naturally rot resistant and was historically used for barns and fencing.
- Hybrid chestnuts can begin producing nuts in as little as 5 to 7 years.
Evergreen Seed Co. delivers premium, high germination native tree and shrub seeds for growers focused on habitat restoration, resilience, and long term ecological impact. Each order includes detailed germination instructions and seed handling guidance for confident planting.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
