Seed nuts from Hong Kong — Nori (N-35)

The variety

Hong Kong is a Michael Nave selection out of California that has performed well in the University of Missouri cultivar trials. The nuts are moderate in size, around sixteen grams, and the flavor is excellent — that is the quality it is known for rather than size.

It drops early, around the second week of September in the trials, putting it among the first varieties available in a season.

The detail that made us plant it is this: seedlings of Hong Kong tend to be very vigorous. Most chestnut descriptions tell you about the original tree, which is of limited use if you are growing seedlings rather than grafted clones, as we are. A variety specifically noted for producing strong offspring is a different proposition entirely — it means the quality carries forward into the next generation rather than stopping at the parent.

Nori in 2026

[TO BE WRITTEN — 2026 Ellington observations: bur set in the hard 2026 season, first drop date, nut size, shell splitting, whether burs drop whole.]

The tree

[TO BE WRITTEN — the mother tree's own note: where it stands and anything particular about it.]