American Chestnut

Castanea dentata

Fagaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced

Last updated May 11, 2026

Plant Profile

Height

100 ft

Spread

50-75 ft

Growth Rate

Fast

Size at 20 yr

35 ft

Lifespan

Long-lived

Light

Full Sun

Soil Drainage

Well Drained

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Water

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Medium

Hardiness

Zones 4a–8b

Bloom Time

June

Fall Color

Yellow

Origin

from southern Maine to Michigan, south to Alabama and

Root Colonization Period

View full calendar (8 stages)

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Bud break BBCH 07	Feb 15-Mar 15	Buds swelling and beginning to open; first green tissue visible
Leaf emergence BBCH 11	Mar 1-Apr 1	First leaves fully unfurled on new growth
Bloom start BBCH 61	Jun 1-Jun 30	First open flowers visible; flowers white
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69	Jun 15-Jul 15	Last petals falling; flower structures fading
Fruit/seed development BBCH 71	Jun 1-Aug 31	Fruit or seed structures forming; fruit color: brown
Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85	Sep 1-Nov 30	Fruit fully colored and ripened; seed dispersal may begin
Fall color / leaf senescence BBCH 93	Oct 1-Nov 15	Leaves changing color; fall display beginning
Dormancy BBCH 97	Nov 15-Feb 28	Leafless; no active growth; dormant buds set

Data Maturity

Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.