The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: Chinese chestnut [Stupka selection]

Family: Fagaceae (beech family)

Distribution: Species native to China and Korea

Hardiness: USDA Zone 4

Life form: Deciduous tree

Comments: A low-growing, weeping form, this selection grows variably from 15' tall to a little over 4' tall if left unstaked. How wide it will grow is anybody's guess. To date our six-year-old specimen stands 4-5' tall by 8' wide. Except for habit, other features are identical to the species. A precocious fruiter, our specimen initiated flowers and fruits after only four years in the field. Flowers are yellow-white, spike-like clusters in late May/June, sickeningly fragrant. Fruits follow in autumn with shiny brown edible nuts. A prototype that endears itself to the collector.