American Chestnut Tree

Castanea dentata

Nature Hills Nursery

Restore a Native Legend: Disease-Resistant American Chestnut Returns to Eastern Landscapes
Thrives in Zones 4-8
Grows 50-75 ft Tall
Native, Pollinator-Friendly Tree
Stunning Brown Fall Foliage

$89⁵⁷

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Plant Size

#3 Container 3-4 Feet

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: These trees thrive in at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. While they can survive in partial shade, full sun is vital for the heavy nut production and vigorous growth needed to maintain health.
Soil: Aim for well drained, acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 6.5. If you have heavy clay, plant in a raised mound to prevent "wet feet," as they are highly susceptible to root rot in standing water.

Watering Requirements

During the first two years of establishment, provide 10 to 15 gallons of water per week to ensure the deep taproot anchors properly. Once mature, the American Chestnut is moderately drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture during the late summer can result in shriveled nuts or premature leaf drop.

Pruning Tips

The American Chestnut blooms on new wood, so the best time to prune is in late winter while the tree is still dormant. Focus on removing "water sprouts" and crossing branches to open up the canopy for better airflow, which helps prevent fungal issues. Think of it like thinning out a crowded room; better circulation ensures every branch gets the light and air it needs to stay productive.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer like a 10-10-10 formula in early spring just as the buds begin to swell. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers in late summer because this encourages tender new growth that won't harden off before the first frost, leaving the tree vulnerable to winter kill.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Native, Edible, Fall Color/Interest, Heat Tolerant
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	50-75 ft
Width	50-75 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Chalky, Clay, Loamy
Growth Rate	Fast
Blooms In	Summer
Flower Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Castanea dentata
Species	dentata
Class	Fagales
Does Not Ship To	AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR, WA

Grow a legendary icon and native legacy when you order the American Chestnut Tree (Castanea dentata)! Once the dominant tree throughout Eastern forests, the Chestnut almost went extinct in 1904 due to an imported fungus. Planting one in your landscape brings this majestic tree back to today's boulevards and gardens!

Summer lights up your tree with long, fuzzy catkins in unique clusters of showy white flowers, standing tall at the ends of every branch! The display attracts a wide range of pollinators and Host Plant to their larvae! Fall brings unique green spikey seed pods, each with glossy, easy-to-peel, chestnut brown nuts.

The nuts of the American Chestnut are edible, crunchy, and sweet! Roast these nuts for a tasty seasonal treat in the late-season months of September and October, and sometimes into November. Freeze the nuts for a long time, freshly roasted nuts should be eaten soon and can be stored in the fridge for a few weeks.

Featuring leaves with prominent veins, a smooth surface, and a leathery texture so they will not get damaged in storms or wind. The coarsely-toothed margins of the foliage add incredible interest!

Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 5 to 8, these mighty deciduous trees grow 60-85 feet in height and 50-75 feet in width. This broad range in sizes is due to the native variance, growing zone, and climate conditions.

Planting and Application:

The American Chestnut is a great street tree and shade tree! Use a single specimen in your landscape as a lawn tree, a focal point, and a majestic wildlife sanctuary! You'll enjoy the shade these statuesque native trees provide while creating stunning Bird-Friendly backdrops and borders.

These legacy trees are long-lived and ideal memorial plantings! Mark a birthday, an anniversary or a wedding tree planting ceremony, or memorialize a loved one who has passed with a majestic tree to remember them by.

You'll love the benefits your own Nut tree orchard can provide you and your wildlife! Cooling shade lowers AC bills and protects your lawn, garden, and seating areas from the harshest of the summer sun! Stop lawn furniture and siding from fading and protect your home from prevailing winds with these sturdy trees situated in the right spot!

The American Chestnut is not entirely self-pollinating and does best with a second tree to produce a crop. Even if a neighbor has one of these trees, you will get a great crop thanks to the bees and wind pollination for successful cross-pollination. Not only does creating groves of Chestnut trees improve pollination, but you'll create a wildlife hotspot!

Clusters of White Fuzzy Blooms for Pollinators
Caterpillar Host Plant for 130 Species of Moth & Butterfly Larvae
Impressive Flowering and Ornamental Foliage
Native, Early Producer of Easy-Peel Nuts
Great Shade, Edible Nut Crops, Wildlife Trees & Lawn Specimens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

American Chestnut Trees need full sun to grow their strongest and prefer rich well-drained soils. These hardy natives are adaptable to most soil types. New trees do best with a regular schedule of water and a 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch around the entire root system. Plant new trees with the life-long symbiotic relationship of Nature Hills Root Booster and regular fertilizer. Prune your tree to correct your tree's shape in the late winter.

Full Sun
Well-Drained Soil & Moderate Moisture Needs
Mulch New Trees Well
Adaptable Hardy Natives
Prune in Late Winter

Beautiful native American Chestnut Trees are making the return to the landscape with their adaptability and hardiness! Order yours today at Nature Hills Nursery and get growing a legacy for you and future generations!

Explore More from Nature Hills

The American Chestnut joins our collection of exceptional trees and native plants that thrive across multiple growing zones, including zone 4 plants, trees & shrubs and zone 5 plants, trees & shrubs. For additional guidance on establishing large shade trees in your landscape, explore our comprehensive guide on Privacy Trees and Shrubs: The Complete Guide to Screening, Spacing & Top Varieties and learn about proper care techniques in How To Winterize Your Fruit Trees.

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Growing Zones 4-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy american chestnut trees?

Yes, American Chestnut trees are available for purchase and planting. These native trees grow 60-85 feet tall and thrive in USDA zones 5-8. They make excellent shade trees and produce edible nuts in fall. Choose a spacious location since mature trees spread 50-75 feet wide.

What USDA hardiness zones can American Chestnut Trees survive in?

American Chestnut Trees are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8. These native deciduous trees adapt well to varied climate conditions within this range, reaching 60-85 feet tall at maturity. Shop at Nature Hills to bring this legendary species back to your landscape.

How tall and wide do American Chestnut Trees get when fully mature?

American Chestnut Trees reach 60-85 feet tall and 50-75 feet wide at maturity. Size varies based on growing zone, climate, and native genetics. Plan for substantial space when planting, as these are large shade trees best suited for spacious landscapes.

Do American Chestnut Trees need full sun or can they tolerate partial shade?

American Chestnut Trees thrive in full sun conditions for optimal growth and nut production. While they can tolerate some light shade, full sun exposure ensures the best flowering display and heaviest chestnut harvests. Plant in an open location with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

What type of soil do American Chestnut Trees prefer for optimal growth?

American Chestnut Trees thrive in well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5-7.0). They adapt to various soil types but perform best in deep, fertile loam with good moisture retention. Avoid waterlogged areas, as these hardy zone 5-8 natives need proper drainage to establish their extensive root systems.

Are American Chestnut Trees deer resistant?

American Chestnut Trees are not deer resistant and are actually quite attractive to deer, who browse both the foliage and fallen nuts. Deer will feed on the sweet, edible chestnuts that drop in September through November. Consider fencing young trees until they're established if deer pressure is heavy in your area.

What are good companion plants to grow near American Chestnut Trees?

American Chestnuts pair well with native understory plants that thrive in partial shade once the tree matures to 60-85 feet. Consider dogwood, redbud, or native ferns that won't compete with the chestnut's extensive root system in zones 5-8. Plant companions at least 25-30 feet from the trunk to allow room for the tree's eventual 50-75 foot spread.

Do American Chestnut Trees require regular fertilization or special care?

American Chestnuts are low-maintenance once established and don't require special fertilization beyond standard tree care. These hardy natives thrive in zones 5-8 with regular watering during their first few years. Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring if desired, but focus on proper planting depth and mulching for best results.