• broad, flat
• simple
• not lobed
• coarse teeth
• leaf 5" - 8" long, deep teeth
• short, stout stem

• other fruit (not cone, winged, acorn, or in pod or capsule)
• nut in a husk
• thinner, spiny husk
• 2-3 inch diameter, sharp branching spines

This tree is smaller than the native American Chestnut. Following devastation of the American Chestnut by the chestnut blight, the Chinese Chestnut has been used as a substitute for our native tree. Flowers of the Chinese Chestnut are particularly foul smelling, and reportedly can spoil a late-spring barbecue. Except for wetland, this tree is very tolerant of soil conditions. Landscapers plant the Chinese Chestnut as an ornamental, particularly in places where the sharp, prickly burs from the fruit will not cause discomfort to walkers and their pets.

Bark

Flower

Twig