Castanea pumila

Common Names

Allegheny Chinquapin, Chinquapin, American Chinquapin, Dwarf Chestnut, Chinkapin, Common Chinquapin, Coastal Chinquapin, Ozark Chinquapin

Summary

Allegheny chinquapin, native to the eastern and southeastern United States, is a deciduous shrub or small tree often rhizomatous and thicket-forming, typically 15–30 ft tall with multi-stemmed growth and vigorous sprouting after top-kill. It bears long pale yellow flower spikes in summer, and a fruit that is a nut enclosed in a spiny bur; leaves are alternate, simple, oblong with fine teeth, 3–6 inches long, with a rounded to cordate base.

Preferring dry, sandy, well-drained soils, it grows in full sun to partial shade and is drought-tolerant once established; hardy in USDA zones 5a–9b. It is relatively resistant to chestnut blight, though some populations can be affected; propagation is by seed sown as ripe with short viability and stratification of 30–60 days at 41°F, or by division of suckers. Its nuts are edible and it provides wildlife value, supporting restoration, erosion control, native plantings, and ornamental shade in landscapes.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

180-360 inches

Spread

72-240 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soils, often dry and sandy or loamy, with acidic to neutral pH.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil, preferably a slightly acidic loam.

Soil pH

5.0-6.0, Slightly acidic to neutral around pH 5.5

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow to Golden Brown

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Air layering, Division, Grafting, Rhizomes

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds