Chinese Chestnut Tree Seeds (Castanea mollissima)
Chinese Chestnut Tree Seeds (Castanea mollissima)
Chinese Chestnut Tree Seeds (Castanea mollissima)
Nutritious, resilient, and rewarding.
Castanea mollissima, the Chinese Chestnut, is a dependable nut tree known for its sweet, edible chestnuts and strong resistance to the chestnut blight that devastated the American Chestnut. With its spreading canopy, glossy leaves, and fragrant summer blooms, this tree is both ornamental and highly productive—an ideal choice for orchards, homesteads, and wildlife plantings.
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Native to China and widely planted across the U.S.
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Produces delicious, starchy nuts enjoyed roasted or cooked in dishes
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Excellent disease resistance compared to American Chestnut
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Supports pollinators with showy summer catkins and feeds wildlife with heavy nut crops
Botanical Name: Castanea mollissima
Stratification: Required (90–120 days cold stratification)
USDA Zones: 4–8
Soil: Prefers well-drained, loamy soils; intolerant of wet or heavy clay
Light: Full sun
Height: 40–60 feet
Spread: 40–60 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Plant it for food, shade, and resilience—a chestnut that carries forward both heritage and harvest.
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.
