The Chinese chestnut, Castanea mollissima, now dominates interest among
well-informed chestnut planters of the eastern United States almost to
the exclusion of other species. Since its introduction in 1906, it has
had but one important competitor, the Japanese chestnut, C. crenata.
Among the world's most important producers of tree chestnuts, only these
two species are effectively resistant to blight. However, the Japanese
chestnut lacks the palatability to which Americans are accustomed and
for all practical purposes it has been rejected in this country. Many
small plantings still survive; but this species serves better for shade
and ornamentation than for food production.