Dunstan Chestnut
Castanea dentata X mollissima
$37.95 – $42.95
2024 Fall Shipping Season
All orders placed now will ship in Fall 2024
All orders placed will be shipped during our Fall shipping season. All trees will be shipped in containers not yet dormant.
Fall Shipping Schedule
Plant Zones 6: End of September
Plant Zones 7-8: October – November
Plant Zones 8-9: November – early December
For more information see the Ordering & Shipping section below.
Dunstan Chestnut™ seedling trees are the best and most widely planted chestnut trees in America – they combine the excellent nut quality and tree form with blight resistance. Dunstan chestnut trees have been grown successfully from Maine and New York, west to Illinois and Wisconsin, and south to east Texas and Florida. They are excellent for commercial and backyard orchards, and are the best tree to plant for attracting deer and wildlife.
Dunstan Chestnuts™ can produce nuts in only 3-5 years of age depending on care and climate. Trees planted in colder regions such as USDA zone 5, may bear between 5-7 years of age. The best location is a south slope, with good air and water drainage – avoid frost pockets. A sheltered north-facing slope protected from drying winds and low sun of winter may be better for cold windy sites.. They produce heavy annual crops (never skipping a year like oaks) of very large, sweet tasting (no tannin) nuts that average 20-35/lb in size, and can produce 20 lbs/tree after only 10 years, and as much as 50-100 lbs/tree at maturity. They are easy to grow and thrive in a variety of locations. Cold hardy to USDA plant zones 5-9, require a minimum 300 chill hours for the chestnuts to ripen. Make sure your area is receiving the minimum needed chill hours.
Click for Learning Center: Dunstan Chestnuts
| Height | 40 - 60' |
| Spread | 30 - 40' |
| Tree Form | Central Leader |
| USDA Zone | 5 - 9 |
| Blooms | May - June |
| Drops Nuts | September - October |
| Soil | Well-drained, sandy-loam. Avoid low-lying areas |
| Soil pH | 5.5 - 6.5 |
| Light Requirements | Full sun |
| Pollination | Requires Pollinator. Plant a minimum of 2 Dunstans, we recommend 3 or more for best pollination and mast production. Ideal spacing for nut production is between 30-40' apart. |
| Suggested Pollinators | Dunstan Chestnut |
| Size shipped | 18 - 36 inches |
| Spacing | 30-50’. Ideal spacing for nut production is 35-40' apart. |
| Pruning | Chestnuts require minimal pruning. Light pruning in early years to form a strong central leader structure. |
| Fertilization | Do not fertilize at planting. Once the trees are established, fertilize in early spring (Mar-April) as growth begins. Do not fertilize in the fall, which could promote late season tender growth that can be damaged by early frosts. |
| Watering | Newly planted trees should be watered regularly. This is the most critical step in the establishment of your new trees. Please see the Watering section under "How to plant and grow" in our Learning Center. |
At Chestnut Hill Outdoors, we’ve been shipping mail order trees for over 30 years. We’re experts at delivering healthy trees to your doorstep. All of our trees are container grown in root-enhancing pots, ensuring healthy root systems and much better success upon planting.
In Spring we ship bare-root, dormant trees. All plants are dipped in a root gel before shipping and wrapped in plastic to retain moisture.
Note: 1.5 year old trees may be top pruned to fit in shipping box for Fall shipping.
Spring: All trees are shipped bare-root.
Fall: All trees are shipped in containers.
- Dunstan Chestnut Size shipped: 18 – 36 inches
For more information, visit our Ordering & Shipping Page.
