Chinese ChestnutCastanea mollissima
As the American chestnut struggles with disease, the blight-resistant Chinese chestnut is quick gaining popularity. The sweet-tasting nuts are often roasted for holiday eating and have been made famous in turkey stuffing recipes across the country.
But this is more than a nut tree. The shade of its spreading canopy is dense, providing relief in the hot, dry climates the Chinese chestnut does well in.