Alachua, FL (October 14, 2025) – When selecting species for mast orchards, Dunstan Chestnuts are the clear favorite for many reasons. Deer hunters have several options for what to plant in their mast orchards to attract and hold more deer during the fall. It is always best to have a variety, as that widens the time window of attractiveness. However, every plot plan needs a strong foundation, and the strongest is built on chestnuts.
Chestnut trees have several growth characteristics that make them better for planting mast orchards. They flower later in spring than oaks, which makes them less susceptible to late frost damage that can cause widespread acorn failures. They also lack the cyclical nature of oaks, which may only produce a bumper crop every 3 to 5 years. Even under the poorest conditions, chestnuts typically produce some nuts yearly and can rebound quickly to make a bumper crop the following year.
Chestnut trees also grow faster and ultimately, bigger than oaks. In the short term, they will produce more mast sooner, possibly within 2-5 years under optimum conditions. Some oaks might not begin bearing acorns for 20 years. In the long term, Dunstan Chestnut trees can grow 60-80 feet tall and, at maturity, produce up to 2,000 pounds of nuts per acre. That superior production results from larger Dunstan Chestnuts, averaging 15-35 per pound compared to Asian (35-100) and American (75-150) trees.
Deer know a good thing when they find it, and Dunstan Chestnuts are nutritionally superior. They contain approximately 40 percent carbohydrates, compared to only about 10 percent for white oak acorns. That means deer gain more calories per nut when they need them most. Mature chestnut trees produce more carbohydrates per acre than oaks and cornfields, so deer expend less energy to find food and gain more from consuming chestnuts.
Deer also need certain protein levels, vitamins, and trace minerals to maintain proper body function. Chestnuts contain 10 percent protein compared to only 4 percent for white oak acorns. They also contain more vitamin C, E, and K and are higher in iron, potassium, and selenium than acorns.
Those are all essential points to consider when deciding what to plant, but the ultimate judges are deer. In studies of captive deer, Dr. James Kroll found deer preferred chestnuts to acorns at a rate of 100:1. Besides being nutritionally superior, chestnuts are also more palatable because they lack tannins that give acorns their bitter taste. Add it all up, and the evidence is clear: Dunstan Chestnuts are the ultimate deer attractant.
About Chestnut Hill Outdoors
Chestnut Hill is the best place for you to purchase your food plot and deer attractant plants because they offer a large selection, their plants are specifically bred to attract deer, and they offer customers different-sized plants at different levels of growth. To ensure you receive the maximum benefit from their products, they also provide sound advice and instruction on proper planting and care. For more on Chestnut Hill Outdoors products and how to care for them, visit ChestnutHillOutdoors.com, or call (855) 386-7826.
For more information, please visit
