Dunstan Chestnut Tree
The Dunstan Chestnut Tree is the most popular chestnut tree in America and has been a top seller for many years.
These beautiful hybrid chestnut trees have the familiar nutty taste of the American Chestnut Tree but boast an impressive resistance to chestnut blight. Bearing nuts within 3 to 5 years of planting, the Dunstan chestnut tree is a spectacle to be seen. Beyond their heavy crop of sweet chestnuts, Dunstans are loved for their immense shade cover and the native benefits they bring to an ecosystem.
Reaching a mature height between 40 and 60 feet, Dunstan Chestnut trees are a standout addition to any property. Ideal conditions for these magnificent trees include full sun and a well-drained soil medium.
Chestnut Tree History
Once beautiful and abundant, the American Chestnut Tree (Castanea dentata) covered vast tracts of land across the eastern United States for thousands of years. That is until a fungus (blight) from Asia decimated virtually every tree standing on North American soil.
After nearly 70 years of absence, the American Chestnut is poised to make a comeback thanks to the Dunstan Chestnut.
Dr. Robert T. Dunstan cross-pollinated American grafts with USDA Chinese chestnut selections. The result is a blight-resistant Chestnut Tree.
This hardy tree is easy to grow and thrives in various areas. Chestnuts are the very best tree for wildlife. Their consistent yearly crop of large, sweet nuts (unlike oaks and other nuts that cycle between heavy and light-years) provides regular, high-quality food for deer, turkeys, squirrels, and bears. For a more in-depth history of the Chestnut Tree and a look into its future, be sure to check out our blog: What Happened To The Chestnut Tree?
