How to plant your Chestnut tree
Choose a place that gets sunlight all day.
Chestnuts prefer well-drained, acidic soil. Avoid areas that are often wet.
A soil pH of 7 is alkaline, so aim for a pH between 4.5 and 6.5. If you're unsure about your soil pH, get a soil test..
Most Chestnut trees in my orchard are spaced 20 feet apart in rows that are 30 feet apart. For non-commercial orchards, plant trees 40 feet apart for proper pollination.
For potted trees, dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and at the same depth. Carefully take the tree out of its pot and put it in the hole. Place the plant in the hole so the crown is at or just below the soil surface. The crown is where the trunk and roots meet.
For bare root trees, dig a hole that's wider than the plant's root system and deep enough to accommodate the roots. Place the plant in the hole so the crown is at or just below the soil surface. The crown is where the trunk and roots meet. Make sure the roots grow downward and not like a J shape. This is known as J-rooting.
Carefully fill the hole with the soil you removed and use your feet to pack the soil around the tree, removing any air pockets.
Water the tree gently when finished, using one or two gallons every few days for the next few weeks until it's settled.
Tree protection. I use a 5-foot tree tube to protect my young trees from deer and to provide support when staked. You need a stake to attach the tube. I use a 6-foot piece of rebar driven into the ground until it's level with the tree tube. This stops the tree from rubbing against the rebar and hurting the trunk.
That’s all there is to it!