Chestnut plant named ‘AU Premier’

Abstract

The disease resistant ‘AU Premier’ seguin offers food availability for wildlife over an extended period. A single plant drops nuts for a 2-3 month period. Nut size varies with season and the average weight is between 1 and 1.5 grams. The plant does not bloom until mid-May, therefore late spring frosts do not damage the flowers. In most seasons, the ‘AU Premier’ seguin cultivar will have 2-3 flushes of vegetative growth. The nut quality is similar to the Chinese chestnut in that it is high in starch and sugar (40-42%) and low in fats. ‘AU Premier’ seguin begins to drop its crop of medium sized nuts about September 8 and nut drop continues until mid-November. ‘AU Premier’ seguin is an excellent companion cultivar for ‘AU Encore’ seguin since the major nut drop for ‘AU Premier’ seguin occurs before the major nut drop period of ‘AU Encore’ seguin.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of the species  Castanea seguinii  named ‘AU Premier’ as described and illustrated herein.