The nut of the Chinese chestnut is an excellent product. It is
unexcelled in sweetness and general palatability by any other known
chestnut. The tree bears well and is about equally as hardy as the
peach. It appears to require much the same conditions of cultural
environment as does that fruit. It is practically the only species of
chestnut now being planted by informed growers in the eastern part of
the United States.
It is thus far grown in this country almost entirely as seedling trees.
Variation is about what was to be expected, with the majority of bearing
trees proving to be poor producers and, in most cases, with nuts too
small to sell well.
Varietal selections of much promise are being made; the first appeared
in 1930 and were first catalogued in 1935. Some of the earliest have
already been dropped as their defects came to be known, and others of
greater apparent promise have originated. The process of selection is
constantly going on and further introductions should shortly appear.
By taking certain simple steps chestnuts in sound condition may be kept
in usable condition for many weeks.
The Chinese chestnut is subject to attack by certain serious natural
enemies. These include both insects and diseases and the tree as well as
the nuts are affected. However, all that are now known appear
controllable.
Past planting has been largely limited to small numbers of trees mainly
about residence grounds. The total number of trees available for
planting has never been large, due chiefly to the scarcity of seed nuts
needed for nursery use. Production, however, rose sharply with the
harvest of the 1946 crop which was unexpectedly large. Annual production
may continue to increase since the number of trees of bearing age is
likely to become appreciably greater each year. Nursery planting is
likely to be proportionately greater. The extent of future planting will
doubtless be correspondingly influenced.
Present enthusiasm over the Chinese chestnut is very great and it is
possible extensive planting may soon take place. It is believed,
however, that this would be unwise from an economic point of view. There
are many uncertainties in connection with the industry in its present
state of development, and, not improbably there will be keen competition
in the market with imported chestnuts from both Europe and Asia as soon
as international relations become normal.