The Chinese Chestnut is a handsome, spreading shade tree prized for its sweet, edible nuts ripening in early fall. Far more disease-resistant than the American chestnut, it’s a dependable choice for homegrown harvests. Creamy catkin flowers in spring give way to spiny burs that split to reveal glossy brown nuts. Its lustrous green leaves turn warm yellow-gold in autumn. Plant it in full sun, where it forms a broad, rounded canopy for larger landscapes. For shade, ornament, and a tasty harvest, the Chinese Chestnut delivers on all fronts.