Grow a Chestnut Tree from Seed – Step-by-Step Time Lapse

TL;DR (Quick Summary)

This project shows how to grow a chestnut tree from seed and turn a few nuts into a mini chestnut jungle.
The chestnuts are cold stratified in the fridge, germinated on a wet paper towel and then planted in pots.
You get a full chestnut time lapse from seed to dense green canopy.
Below you’ll find a step-by-step guide, ideal growing conditions and tips to avoid moldy nut soup.

Growing a Chestnut Jungle: A Mesmerizing Time Lapse Journey

Ever wanted to grow your own little forest? In this project I took a handful of chestnuts, planted them in a tray and watched them turn into a mini chestnut jungle – all captured in a hypnotic time lapse. Tiny nuts, big trees, lots of leaves. 😄

The video condenses several months of growth into about a minute, so you can watch the whole transformation from brown seed to lush green canopy without having to water anything in real time.

Chestnut Time Lapse – From Seed to Jungle

If you just want to see the magic first, here’s the full chestnut time lapse:

Step-by-Step: How to Grow a Chestnut Tree from Seed

Chestnuts (the edible kind, not horse chestnuts) need a cold winter period before they wake up and grow. Here’s exactly how I prepared and germinated my nuts for the time lapse.

1. Collect and Check the Chestnuts

Fresh chestnuts collected for growing chestnut trees from seed

Start with fresh, healthy chestnuts. Avoid nuts that feel light, have holes or are already moldy – those are more likely to rot than sprout.

2. Cold Stratification in the Fridge

Chestnut seeds need a fake winter to break dormancy. That’s where the fridge comes in.

Chestnuts wrapped in a wet paper towel for cold stratification

Wrap the chestnuts in a moist paper towel (not dripping wet).
Place them in a zip bag or small box so they don’t dry out.
Store them in the fridge at around 1–4°C (34–39°F) for 8–12 weeks.
Check every couple of weeks: if the towel dries out, mist it again; remove any nuts that turn mushy.

3. Wait for Germination

Germinated chestnut with root emerging after cold stratification

After a while you’ll see the shell cracking and a white root emerging – congratulations, your chestnut tree officially exists now. Once the root is a couple of centimeters long, it’s time to plant.

4. Plant the Chestnut Seedlings

Planting a germinated chestnut into potting soil

Fill a pot or tray with loamy, well-draining soil.
Make a small hole and place the chestnut with the root pointing down.
Cover it with 2–3 cm of soil and water gently.
Place the pot in a bright, cool spot and keep the soil slightly moist.

5. Watch Your Tiny Chestnut Forest Appear

Young chestnut seedlings growing together in a tray

After a few weeks, the first chestnut seedlings pop through the surface and start unfolding their leaves. Grouped together they quickly look like a small jungle – perfect for time-lapse and for your inner tree-hugger.

Optimal Growing Conditions for Chestnut Trees

Whether you keep them in pots for a while or plan to plant them outside later, chestnut trees appreciate a few basic conditions.

Substrate:
Chestnut trees like well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral loamy soil. A mix of quality potting soil with some sand or perlite works great. It gives the roots air and nutrients while avoiding waterlogging.

Temperature:
For cold stratification, keep the nuts around 1–4°C (34–39°F) in the fridge. After planting, they germinate best between 18–24°C (65–75°F). Once established outdoors, chestnut trees are pretty hardy and can handle typical temperate climates.

Watering:
Young chestnut trees need consistently moist soil, especially in the first year. Water when the top layer feels dry, but don’t let the pots sit in standing water. Later, when planted outside, deep but less frequent watering encourages strong root systems.

Light:
Chestnut trees love full sun. Aim for at least 6–8 hours of direct light per day. Indoor seedlings do best near a bright south-facing window or under a grow light until they are ready for the great outdoors.

Why Growing Chestnut Trees from Seed Is Fun

Growing a chestnut tree from seed is basically slow-motion wizardry: you put a shiny brown nut in soil and, months later, you have actual tiny trees. The time lapse shows the whole story in fast forward, but seeing the seedlings stretch and leaf out in real life is even better.

Grab some chestnuts next season, give them their fake winter in the fridge, and start your own mini chestnut forest. Worst case, you’ve learned a lot. Best case, you’ll end up with a bunch of young trees to plant or give away.

FAQ – Chestnut Trees from Seed

Can I grow chestnut trees in pots?
Yes, for the first years you can keep them in large containers. Long term they prefer to live in the ground with plenty of root space.

Do I really need cold stratification?
For most chestnut species: yes. Without a cold period, the germination rate is much lower. The fridge trick is the easiest way to simulate winter.

Are all chestnuts edible?
No! Only sweet chestnuts (Castanea) are edible. Horse chestnuts (Aesculus) are toxic. Make sure you know which species you’re collecting before snacking or planting.

External Resources for Chestnut Growing

For more detailed info on chestnut tree care and planting, these guides are helpful:

If You Enjoyed This Chestnut Jungle, You Might Also Like:

Growing an Oak Tree from Acorn – 195-Day Timelapse Adventure – another tree-from-seed project with lots of roots and patience.

DIY Jar Ecosphere – build a whole tiny ecosystem in a jar and watch it evolve over months.

How to Make a Plant Timelapse – my detailed guide on camera setup, settings and editing for plant time lapse videos.

Recommended Materials

Fresh sweet chestnuts (not horse chestnuts!)
Paper towels and zip bag for cold stratification
Pots or trays with drainage holes
Loamy, well-draining potting mix with some sand
Optional: grow light for indoor seedlings

If you want to turn your chestnut project into a long-term time lapse, check out my complete Plant Time-Lapse Equipment Guide, where I share my camera setup, interval settings and lighting tips.
👉 Plant Time-Lapse Equipment – All You Need