The Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) [plant family Fagaceae] is a small- to medium-sized (max 64 ft) tree with broad crown. The oval-shaped leaves are simple, alternate, and with straight veins and slightly toothed. The top of the leaf is somewhat leathery and underneath paler green and hairy. The flowers appear as catkins with female flowers at the base and male flowers elsewhere. The fruit is a brown nut (2.5 in) housed in a spiny coat. They are edible and an important food source for forest animals. The tree is resistant to the chestnut blight that has wiped out almost all the American chestnuts. Native to China, the Chinese chestnut is now the most common chestnut in North America. Compared to American chestnut, Chinese chestnut has smaller, wider, and leatherier leaves and smaller fruit.
Link describing difference between an American and Chinese chestnut. http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/comparison/
