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Woody > Castanea > Castanea mollissima > Castanea mollissima

Castanea mollissima


Chinese Chestnut




            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

"

Castanea mollissima has a nice rounded crown. The summer flowers emit an awful odour that may be offensive to some people. Autumn clean-up is difficult due to the sharp spikes on the protective shell of the fruit. Overall this is a nice looking tree but it is not recommended for residential areas.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

"

Family
Fagaceae
Genus
Castanea
Species
mollissima
Category
Woody
Type
Tree (deciduous)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
5-8
Canadian Hardiness Zone
6-9
Temperature (°C)
-28
Temperature (°F)
-20
Height
12 m
Spread
12 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
June
General Description
Course textured, medium size tree with a rounded top and glossy green foilage.
Cultivation
Well drained but good garden soils are needed. Requires ample room in the landscape.
Shape
Rounded crown, low branched.
Growth
Medium
ID Characteristic
Distingushed by pubesecence on underside of the leaves.
Pests
Diseases include powdery mildew, leaf spots, twig canker, it is resistant to chestnut blight (Cryphonecrtia parasitica) but not immune.
Habitat
Used as a street tree, or as a replacement for the American Chestnut.
Bark/Stem Description
Grey brown in colour ridged and furrowed.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
6 mm long, ovoid, with 2-3 weakly overlapping scales.
Leaf Description
Simple, alternate arrangement, oblong, waxy with many prominent teeth. Wider leaf base than the American Chestnut.
Flower Description
Yellowish white flowers that occur in clusters. The flowers give off a strong odour when crushed.
Fruit Description
Chestnuts surrounded by a green spiny shell, usually 3 nuts per shell.
Colour Description
Dark green summer foliage and yellow bronze autumn foliage. Grey brown bark.
Texture Description
Course textured.
Notable Specimens
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Vineland, Ontario, Canada.
Propagation
Seed should be stratified in cool moist condition for 60 – 90 days at a temperature from 0-5 °C.
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