Jaida (J-6) – Qing seed nuts
The variety
Qing began as an ordinary yard tree in Hickory, Kentucky, planted some time around 1960 by someone whose name we do not know. Michael Nave named it in 1998, Greg Miller propagated it, and it has since become the standard against which other American chestnuts are judged. The original tree is still there, still bearing heavy crops.
The nuts are medium-large, shiny and dark, and exceptionally sweet — sweeter than most Chinese chestnuts grown in this country. They store unusually well and rarely carry the multiple embryos that spoil a nut's shape.
The tree has a habit we particularly value here. It breaks bud late, which gave it the best spring-frost avoidance of anything in the Missouri trials — useful on a farm with low ground where cold air settles.
One point of honesty: Qing is not a pure Chinese chestnut. It carries Allegheny chinquapin in its parentage, which is very likely where the sweetness comes from.
Jaida in 2026
2026 observations coming after harvest.
The tree
More about this tree coming soon.
Seed nuts from this tree will be available once harvest is in. Join our newsletter to hear first.