The sweet chestnut is in no way related to the horse chestnut or the water chestnut. Chestnut trees are self-infertile, and require another tree for pollination, although normal trees have both male and female flowers. They are probably both wind and insect pollinated, although in orchards wind is likely of greatest importance. Pollen production is typically very heavy. Nitrogen is the most limiting factor in chestnut production.
Irrigation is most beneficial to the early production of young plantings.
On mature stands, irrigation may be of marginal value, as trees are quite drought hardy, and produce well in dry years. Chestnuts are a shade tolerant, fast growing, long taproot tree. They may grow slowly during the establishment phase if weed competition or drought conditions prevail, but are quick to establish a strong root system. Over three feet of root development is common during each of the first several years. Chestnuts can thrive in the shade of fruit trees, asparagus, Christmas trees, and the like while developing a sturdy root system.