Common Name: Chinese Chestnut

General Information

Castanea mollissima is a deciduous tree with an open, rounded crown; it can grow up to 20 metres tall. The bole can be 50cm in diameter, usually branching from low down[, ].
This is the most important Castanea species in world commerce, it is extensively cultivated for its edible seed in China, and also much grown in America and Japan. There are a number of named varieties[, , , ]. The tree is also managed on a coppice system in China in order to provide fuel[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, Korea, northeastern India.

Habitat

Woods and forests; at elevations up to 2,500 metres[]. Mountain slopes from near sea level to 2,800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Castanea mollissima is a very cold-hardy tree, tolerating temperatures down to around -30°c when dormant. It grows best in areas with hot summers. In areas with cooler summers(even if the winters are mild), such as the maritime regions of the temperate zone, it often grows poorly, failing to properly ripen its fruit or its wood and suffering frost damage over the winter[, ].
Prefers a good well-drained slightly acid loam but succeeds in dry soils[, , ]. Once established, it is very drought tolerant[, , ]. Very tolerant of highly acid, infertile dry sands[]. Averse to calcareous soils but succeeds on harder limestones[, ]. Tolerant of urban pollution[]. Somewhat tolerant of salt-laden winds[].
Extensively cultivated for its edible seed in China, and also much grown in America, there are a number of named varieties[, , , ]. The tree is also coppiced in order to supply wood for fuel11].
Plants can start fruiting in 5 - 7 years from seed[] and yields from mature trees are around 25 - 60 kilos per tree[].
Resistant, but not immune, to blight[], it is used in hybridization programmes with Castanea dentata to try and find blight resistant cultivars with superior seeds[].
A shallow rooted tree[], it can be difficult to transplant[].
Responds well to coppicing[, ].
Flowers are produced on wood of the current year's growth[]. Plants are fairly self-sterile[].
All the different Castanea species are interfertile and will hybridize freely with other members of this genus[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Frequently cultivated for the production of nuts in most provinces of central China. Since 1916 spreading in the southern states of the USA and planted as shade tree on farms, also grown in Japan. Nuts are eaten roasted, dried or ground, and are used in the production of chocolates and desserts. Important for breeding because of resistance to chestnut blight. More than 300 cultivars have been named in China[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, , , ]. Eaten raw, there is a distinct astringency, especially if the fleshy inner skin beneath the outer shell of the seed is not removed[]. When cooked, however, and especially when baked, the seed becomes much sweeter and has a floury texture[]. It then makes an excellent food and can be used as a staple food in much the same way as potatoes or cereals[]. The skin (or pellicle) of the seed is easily peeled[]. The seed is low in fats and oils but high in carbohydrates[]. A nutritional analysis is available[]. Usually 2 - 3 nuts are produced per cupule, each nut being 20 - 30mm in diameter, or rarely narrower[].

Medicinal

The burrs (seed cases?) are rich in tannin and are astringent and stomachic[, ]. A decoction is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, uncontrollable nose bleed, dysentery, regurgitation and profound thirst[].

The flowers are used in the treatment of scrofula[].

The stem bark is used to treat poisoned wounds whilst the stem sap is used to treat lacquer poisoning (caused by Toxicodendron species[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Castanea mollissima is an excellent soil-enriching understorey plant to grow in pine forests[].

Other Uses

The bark, leaves, wood and seed husks all contain tannin.

The wood is light in weight, hard and strong. Very durable in contact with the soil, it is used for fence posts etc[].
The wood is an excellent fuel, burning well and giving off a lot of heat[].

Propagation

Seed - where possible sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in a seed bed outdoors[]. The seed must be protected from mice and squirrels. The seed has a short viability and must not be allowed to become dry. It can be stored in a cool place, such as the salad compartment of a fridge, for a few months if it is kept moist, but check regularly for signs of germination. The seed should germinate in late winter or early spring. If sown in an outdoor seedbed, the plants can be left in situ for 1 - 2 years before planting them out in their permanent positions. If grown in pots, the plants can be put out into their permanent positions in the summer or autumn, making sure to give them some protection from the cold in their first winter[].