Quick answer: Allegheny chinquapin (Castanea pumila) is native to 21 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 16 Sep 2026.
Photo: Bonnie Dalzell(bdalzell@qis.net), Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Part Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Low water, Dry |
| Soil | Sandy, well-drained soils, acidic pH |
| Bloom | Bloom Mar-Jun |
| Height | Up to 50 ft, often shorter |
| Wildlife value | Seeds favored by deer/squirrels/animals, nectar for insects, fruit for birds and mammals |
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 16 Sep 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 16 Sep 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Allegheny chinquapin
Where is Allegheny chinquapin native?
Allegheny chinquapin (Castanea pumila) is native to 21 states across the Northeast, Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Allegheny chinquapin bloom?
Allegheny chinquapin blooms Mar-Jun. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Allegheny chinquapin need?
Light: Part Shade. Water: Low water, Dry. Soil: Sandy, well-drained soils, acidic pH. Mature height: Up to 50 ft, often shorter.
Is Allegheny chinquapin good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Seeds favored by deer/squirrels/animals, nectar for insects, fruit for birds and mammals.
Is Allegheny chinquapin deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Allegheny chinquapin is drought-tolerant and tolerates shade.
Where can I buy Allegheny chinquapin?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 16 Sep 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Castanea pumila by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Allegheny chinquapin.
- Blackjack oak Quercus marilandica
- Shortleaf pine Pinus echinata
- Cockspur hawthorn Crataegus crus-galli
- American holly Ilex opaca
- Common hoptree Ptelea trifoliata
- Southern red oak Quercus falcata
Also listed under
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