Description
While we center ecological restoration and thus the prioritization of native species, these chestnuts can provide a meaningful contribution to local food security in uncertain times. In all cases except the chestnut, native species do this the best- but the blight still thrives in the humid forests of the east coast, and restoring the Turtle Island chestnut will take a longer time than many can afford. Fortunately the nonnative chestnuts cannot readily establish themselves in forests, meaning they are unlikely to spread and become invasive.
The quality of the food these relatives provide cannot be overstated. Chestnuts are higher in starch than other nuts, with their nutritional content being more akin to potatoes. They prefer acidic, well-draining soils, and full sun.
