Variety Pack – Chestnut Seedlings (UMCA® PQK, Eaton, Qing, Empire Elite) Ships Fall 2026

This Variety Pack gives you 20 grow‑bag chestnut seedlings from four proven lines: 5 UMCA® PQK, 5 Eaton, 5 Qing, and 5 Empire Elite. Each tree is grown in a grow bag for a larger, well‑structured root system at shipping. This pack is ideal if you want strong early growth and a diverse mix of genetics in one planting.

Each variety in this pack comes from parent trees we monitor for vigor, structure, and nut production. UMCA® PQK, Eaton, Qing, and Empire Elite have all shown solid performance in modern chestnut plantings. Together, they create a resilient mix that can help spread risk, extend harvest windows, and support strong pollination across your site.

These seedlings are suited for growers building orchards, silvopasture lanes, and homestead plantings who want a mix of high‑potential varieties rather than a single line. You get trees ready to move from grow bag to field with less transplant shock and quicker establishment, as long as you provide good planting and early care.

EBB Farms acts as the farm lab and learning and development hub for United Chestnuts. By planting this Variety Pack, you connect with the wider United Chestnuts community. You can explore practical field notes and resources from EBB Farms, follow the Branching Out: Growing Together podcast, and learn through United Chestnuts Academy as you develop your own chestnut system.

What’s included

• 5 grow‑bag UMCA® PQK chestnut seedlings

• 5 grow‑bag Eaton chestnut seedlings

• 5 grow‑bag Qing chestnut seedlings

• 5 grow‑bag Empire Elite chestnut seedlings

• Total: 20 grow‑bag chestnut trees for one price

Key details

Type: Grow‑bag chestnut seedlings from four selected varieties (UMCA® PQK, Eaton, Qing, Empire Elite)
Source: Grown from nuts on proven parent trees at EBB Farms and partner sites
Format: Grow‑bag seedlings with larger, well‑developed root systems at shipping
Quantity: 20 trees per pack (5 of each variety)
Price: $850 per variety pack
Uses: Orchards, silvopasture lanes, homesteads, test blocks, and pollination support

Chestnut trees are not self‑fertile; you will need at least two compatible chestnut trees planted within the same area so they can cross‑pollinate and set a reliable nut crop. This Variety Pack is designed to give you built‑in diversity and strong pollination across varieties. Like all chestnuts, these trees perform best in full sun, well‑drained soils, with good weed control in the early years and protection from deer and equipment pressure.

Shipping and handling

For shipping, we remove the grow bag and most topsoil so each tree travels lighter and more securely. You will receive bare‑root style seedlings with a trimmed but well‑developed root system. Plant them promptly on arrival, water deeply, and maintain good weed control so the roots can adjust and push new growth quickly.

Why choose the Variety Pack?

• You get four proven chestnut varieties in one order.

• Grow‑bag format supports stronger root systems and faster adjustment after planting.

• Variety helps spread risk and can extend your harvest window.

• Built‑in diversity improves pollination across your planting.

• Backed by United Chestnuts resources and the EBB Farms learning environment.

  UMCA® PQK is a modern hybrid chestnut selected for strong vigor and reliable nut production in managed plantings. It tends to build a sturdy frame and crop well once established, making it a solid backbone variety in mixed orchards and silvopasture lanes. Many growers use PQK as a workhorse tree that combines good growth with consistent burr and nut set.

  Eaton is known as a dependable hybrid chestnut with good cold tolerance and steady production. It usually forms a balanced canopy and carries regular crops once mature, which helps smooth out year‑to‑year variation in your planting. Eaton works well as a “stabilizer” variety, supporting pollination and yield across different sites and management styles.

  Qing is often valued for its combination of vigor and attractive nuts on a well‑structured tree. Growers appreciate its ability to push strong growth while still carrying clean, marketable burrs and nuts when managed well. In a mixed planting, Qing can add both visual appeal and harvest potential, especially where you want trees that respond well to thoughtful pruning and care.

  Empire Elite is a newer, higher‑selection hybrid chestnut line aimed at combining strong growth with premium nut potential. It is bred to perform in more intensive, modern systems, making it a good candidate for test blocks and higher‑management orchard areas. When paired with PQK, Eaton, and Qing, Empire Elite adds an extra layer of genetic potential and upside to your long‑term planting.

Feature bullets

• 20 grow‑bag chestnut seedlings: UMCA® PQK, 5 Eaton, 5 Qing, 5 Empire Elite

• All seedlings grown from selected, proven parent trees

• Grow‑bag format for larger root systems and quicker establishment

• Designed for orchards, silvopasture, and serious homestead plantings

• Supported by United Chestnuts resources, Branching Out: Growing Together podcast, and United Chestnuts Academy