Castanea pumila, treated here in a broad sense, has often been treated as a number of distinct species, including Castanea alnifolia Nutt., and Castanea floridana (Sarg.) Ashe. In general, the pattern of morphologic variation suggests three forms that have some geographic and ecologic continuity, but among which sufficient clinal variation occurs to prevent easy recognition. Plants of higher elevation and northern populations tend to be trees or large shrubs with densely tomentose vestiture of the abaxial leaf surface (Castanea pumila in its narrow sense), while southern coastal populations typically have flat-stellate vestiture, often very sparse or even glabrate (Castanea floridana ). These coastal populations may be further separated into forms that are trees or large shrubs with leaves sparsely to not at all glandular (Castanea pumila ashei) versus low rhizomatous shrubs with prominent globose glands on twigs and leaves (centered in northern Florida and adjacent Georgia) (Castanea alnifolia)[].

Common Name: Chinquapin

General Information

Castanea pumila is a deciduous shrub or small tree. It can vary in size from a shrub just 100cm tall to a tree that can be 15 metres tall, exceptionally to 20 metres. The plant often spreads by means of rhizomes to form thickets[].
A very popular wild food in N. America, where the plant is commonly harvested from the wild for its edible seeds - these are sometimes sold in local markets. The plant also has a range of medicinal uses and is a source of wood. It is sometimes cultivated for its seeds and coppiced for its wood in southern N. America; it is also grown as an ornamental and shade tree.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Central and eastern N. America - southern Missouri to new Jersey and Massachussetts, south to eastern Texas and central Florida

Habitat

Dry sandy ridges and rich hillsides where it forms thickets, also in woods and on the borders of swamps[, ]. Forest, open woods, forest understorey, dry sandy and wet sandy barrens; at elevations up to 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind, Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Castanea pumila is a very cold-hardy tree, tolerating temperatures down to around -25°c when dormant. It grows best in areas with hot summers, however, and although it can grow well in areas with cooler summers, it often fails to produce a crop of good seeds[, ].
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[, ].
The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[].
This species is occasionally cultivated for its edible seed in N. America, there are some named varieties[]. The plants produce seeds abundantly in the wild[].
Fruits can be produced in 2 - 3 years from seed, though crops remain small for the next few years[, ]. One report says that plants never fruit in Britain[], but a 2 metre tall plant at Wisley fruits most years[]. Trees on our Cornish trial grounds produced a few flowers when 1 metre tall and 4 years old[].
Unlike the other American species of chestnut (Castanea dentata and Castanea ozarkensis), this species has shown some resistance to chestnut blight, a disease that has almost wiped out the other two species. The plant has been variously reported as being very susceptible to chestnut blight; as being moderately resistant to chestnut blight; and as being almost completely resistant to chestnut blight[]. The disease has been blamed for the extirpation of this species from some parts of its range[].
Plants can be coppiced, resprouting vigorously from the base and from the underground suckers[].
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[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, , ]. Of excellent quality, it is sweet and palatable, with a nice nutty flavour[, , , ]. The seed is very acceptable raw and is considered to have a superior flavour to both the sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) and the American chestnut (Castanea dentata)[, , , ]. When baked it becomes even sweeter and develops a floury texture - it makes an excellent potato or cereal substitute[].The seed is quite small, about 20mm wide[], which is about half the size of Castanea dentata[]. It is sold in local markets in America[]. The seed husks only contain one (rarely two) seed[]. The seed contains 45% starch and 2.5% protein[].

Medicinal

The leaves contain tannin and are antiperiodic, astringent and tonic[, , ]. The brittle leaves (?dried leaves) were heated and blown onto the patient to treat headaches[].
An infusion of the leaves has been used as an external wash to treat fevers, chills and cold sweats[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant (particularly the cultivar 'Golden') has good potential for use in the revegetation of disturbed sites, particularly because of its wildlife value and adaptability to harsh conditions. It is likely that many planners hesitate to use it because of the threat of chestnut blight infection.[].
With its rhizomatous root system, the plant can be used in programmes to control soil erosion[].
This species is an excellent soil-enriching understorey in pine forests[], growing and fruiting well so long as the canopy of pines is fairly light[].

Other Uses

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

This species may be of value for breeding blight-resistant chestnuts with good-tasting nuts[].

The wood is close-grained, light in weight, hard, strong, very durable, easy to split. It weighs 37lb per cubic foot. A good quality wood, too small for commercial use, but often used for fence posts[, , , , ].
The wood is a good fuel, burning well and gives 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[].
Division of suckers in winter[]. They can be planted straight out into their permanent positions.