Castanea mollissima Blume

Trees to 20 m tall. Branchlets with short pubescence, often also with long spreading hairs. Petiole 1-2 cm; leaf blade elliptic-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, 10-17 cm or rarely shorter, at least along veins abaxially tomentose to softly pubescent, adaxially scalelike glands sometimes absent, base rounded to truncate, margin coarsely serrate, apex acute to acuminate. Male inflorescences 10-20 cm. Cupule densely covered with pubescent spinelike bracts. Nuts usually 2 or 3 per cupule, 2-3 cm in diam. or rarely narrower. Fl. Apr-Jun, fr. Aug-Oct.

It is native to China. It requires a dry subtropical location. It occurs in North Vietnam from 500 to 2000 m altitude. It can grow on waste land, stony soil and acidic or limestone soils. In China it grows from near sea level to about 2800 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

The seeds can be eaten. They are used both fresh and dried. They can be roasted or boiled. They are also used in cooking.

Two or more compatible varieties must be planted together to ensure cross pollination. Trees can be grown from seed. Seed need to be treated for 1-2 months with cold in a refrigerator then planted 5-7 cm deep. Plants can be grown by splice grafting.