How long does it take for a chestnut tree to produce nuts?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Sweet chestnut trees can be very challenging to grow, but those who stick with the process can harvest their seeds for decades. My American chestnut, planted from seed in 2015, was ready for its first "real" nuts in 2023. This involved careful pruning and managing the soil for eight years, which is no small feat. There are hybrid cultivars that will produce nuts around three years faster, but that depends on your values: how much you want a "pure" American tree versus productivity?
Seed-Grown Trees
- American: 10-15 years
- Chinese: 7-10 years
- Requires cross-pollination
Grafted Hybrids
- Dunstan: 3-5 years
- Colossal: 4-6 years
- Pre-pollinated scions available
To speed up production, plant bare-root hybrids in soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. In a trial conducted in Ohio, Dunstan trees, grown in amended loam soil, produced nuts in the 4th year; two years faster than my untreated clay planting site. Compost tea applied annually produced a 20% increase in kernel size by the 6th year.
Soil Preparation
- Test pH 6 months pre-planting
- Mix 30% compost into native soil
- Install drainage tiles in clay
Rootstock Selection
- Choose Chinese rootstock for wet soils
- Opt for dwarfing stock in containers
- Graft onto 2-year-old established roots
Avoid problems with deer-proof cages and protection from voles. One season of inexperienced browsing delayed my first yields in Oregon's orchard by 18 months. Monthly inspections for weevils and blight conserve tree energy on conversion to nuts rather than fighting off a disease.
Read the full article: How to Grow Chestnuts: A Complete Guide for Home Gardeners
