Our hybrid Chinese chestnut tree seedlings are grown from a carefully curated mix of elite parent trees—Empire Elite™, Qing, Peach, Stehli Elite Mix and others—selected for their blight resistance, excellent nut quality, and vigorous growth. These 8–14" tall seedlings are shipped with soil intact but without pots, making them easy to transplant.
 
 
🌱 About the Parent Trees:
 
Empire Elite™: Developed at the Rt. 9 Chestnut Co-Op, these seedlings come from a controlled breeding orchard designed to create half-sibling families with excellent nut production, disease resistance, and consistent growth. Empire Elite trees are prized for their combination of genetics that favor orchard-scale performance and resilience.
 
Qing: A standout cultivar from Kentucky, Qing trees are heavy producers with broad, attractive canopies and exceptionally sweet nuts. Qing is known for superior resistance to spring frost and blossom end rot, making it a reliable performer in variable climates.
 
Peach: Another Chinese chestnut cultivar, Peach offers vigorous growth and tasty nuts, contributing further to the robust, diverse genetics of these seedlings. Often used in breeding programs for its resilience and productivity.
 
Stehli Elite Mix: Sourced from Bob Stehli’s renowned breeding orchard in Ohio, the Stehli Elite Mix comprises seedlings from the 57 most consistently heavy-bearing trees out of an original 4,425. This mix offers exceptional nut qualities, high productivity, and disease resistance, making it one of the most thoroughly selected chestnut hybrid lines in North America. ​
 
Liu: Originating from the Nanjing Botanical Garden in China, Liu is a Chinese chestnut cultivar (Castanea mollissima) notable for its reddish leaves and burs. It is recognized for its vigorous growth and high disease resistance, making it a valuable addition to breeding programs aimed at enhancing these traits.
 
 
🌳 Key Characteristics:
Seedling Height: 8–14 inches at time of shipping
Zones: 5–9
Nut Production: Begins in 3–5 years with proper care
Pollination: At least two trees recommended for nut production
Growth Rate: Fast-growing with strong central leaders
Nut Qualities: Sweet, edible nuts in spiny burs; ripen late Sept–Nov
Wildlife Friendly: Attracts deer, turkey, and more
 
 
🌿 Planting & Care Tips:
Spacing: Plant 30–40 feet apart
Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hrs/day)
Soil Needs: Well-drained, slightly acidic
Watering: Weekly deep watering during first 1-2 years of establishment
Mulch: Helps retain moisture & reduce weeds
Pruning: Annual light pruning during dormancy