Chinese Chestnut (Castanea mollissima)
 
The Chinese chestnut is a medium-sized, deciduous tree native to China and Korea, admired for both its beauty and its resilience. Typically growing 40 to 60 feet tall with a rounded, spreading canopy, it features broad, glossy green leaves with finely serrated edges and a softly fuzzy underside. In early summer, the tree produces long, creamy catkins that release a distinctive, musky fragrance. By fall, it bears spiny burs containing sweet, edible nuts, prized for their flavor and roasted as a seasonal delicacy. Unlike its American cousin, the Chinese chestnut is highly resistant to chestnut blight, making it an important species in restoration and breeding programs. Hardy and tolerant of a range of soils and conditions, it’s well-suited for orchards, homesteads, and wildlife plantings. With its graceful form, generous shade, and valuable harvest, the Chinese chestnut offers both ecological benefits and timeless appeal.