Dunstan Chestnut's in a COLD zone 5?

[Natty Bumppo]

Thinking about trying a few hybrid chestnut's this spring in a new 3 acre clearcut. The soil is fairly well drained. They will get 100% sun. Just wondering if anybody had any experience growing these in a very cold and snowy zone 5. I am 2,000' elevation and am probably more like a zone 4. They are on sale today for Cyber-Monday....thought about picking up a few to try. Is this just a waste of money in my zone?

Thanks advance.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

I know of several mature chestnuts that are in and around the Twin Cities, which are officially 4B. One is a pure American and another is a Chinese hybrid. From what I have read, The Americans are more cold hardy than the Chinese. Considering the blight resistant Americans are likely to be approved, I'd consider planting at least a couple pure American seedlings that you can graft onto later. For the time being I would also plant some of the Dunstans. The Americans could be started as seedlings in pots next spring. Burnt Ridge has some American seeds for sale.