The worst insect problem associated with chestnuts are the chestnut weevil and the gall wasp, neither of which is currently present in the Great Lakes region. The chestnut weevil is easily controlled by simple, clean-orchard management and the gall wasp is isolated in Georgia and Alabama. It is believed the gall wasp may not be able to survive the cold northern winters. At present, spray programs are not required in chestnut groves. The opportunity to grow the trees organically will result in significant advantages and opportunities for such growers, and is well within grasp.
Chestnut trees require relatively little pruning.
Early pruning to encourage more upright growth in C. mollisima may be necessary . Heavy pruning during the young bearing years will diminish production. The strains of Asian chestnuts chosen for planting in the eastern U.S. have demonstrated rather remarkable resilience to drought conditions. The deep root structure probably helps account for fairly reliable production even in record drought years. Chestnut trees have been noted to thrive on a wide variety of site and soil conditions.