New! Empire Elite Select Chestnut tree seedling – 12-18″ – Fall Shipping

Empire Elite Select Chestnut Seedling – 12-18″. Limited seedlings available.

One of the most sought-after chestnut varieties in the Midwest.

These seedlings were grown from Empire Elite seed that I foraged from NE Kansas.
Like the American x Chinese hybrids, these leaf out late — giving them a natural edge against late spring frosts that can catch other trees off guard.

Why this tree:
Produces large nuts — among the biggest you can grow in the Midwest
Late bud break for better frost resilience in unpredictable springs
Later-dropping than many Chinese varieties, extending your harvest window
Bears in 4-5 years; commercial production by 10-12 years
Pollination: You’ll need at least two chestnut trees for cross-pollination and nut production. These mix well with Chinese chestnuts or American x Chinese hybrids in an orchard setting.

Why this tree:
Produces large nuts — among the biggest you can grow in the Midwest
Late bud break for better frost resilience in unpredictable springs
Later-dropping than many Chinese varieties, extending your harvest window
Bears in 4-5 years; commercial production by 10-12 years
Genetics backed by a 60+ year-old proven mother tree
Pollination: You’ll need at least two chestnut trees for cross-pollination and nut production. These mix well with Chinese chestnuts or American x Chinese hybrids in an orchard setting.

Planting specs:
Spacing: 20-25 feet apart
Soil: Slightly acidic, pH 4.5–6.5
Zones 5–7
Time to maturity: 15 years
Shipping: Fall orders ship as containerized trees (2-gallon equivalent, removed from pot before shipping). Late Fall and Spring orders ship bare root during dormancy. Local pickup also available.
No sales to CA, OR, WA, MI, HI due to importation restrictions.

Bears large nuts. Leafs out late (good to avoid late frost), and drop later than some Chinese varieties
Appropriate for Zones 5 – 7
Space 20-25 feet apart
Time to production: 4-5 years (maybe sooner based on your soil and climate)
Commercial Production: 10-12 years
Time to Maturity: 15 years
Needs slightly acidic soil: pH Range: 4.5-6.5

Note: You need at least two chestnut trees to ensure that they will cross pollinate and produce nuts.
Unless you pick them up local, they will shipped Bare root (too big to ship in a pot).