Trying to decide what spot would work best for some Chestnut trees roughly an hour east of Seattle. Wet Winters, dry droughty summers.

I have a slope available and was thinking of putting in a few swales with nice high berms for the chestnuts. Figured this would help maintain moisture in the summer and keep feet dry in the winter.

Where would you place chestnuts in this climate? Is it better to do them on un-swaled slopes to really avoid wet winter roots?

Also looking for any tips on which cultivars or even types of chestnuts (European vs Chinese vs American vs Japanese) would do best here. I'm planning on contacting Burnt Ridge nursery to ask about cultivars and varieties.

I called Washington chestnut company earlier this year and they had a lot of good advice. I'd recommend talking to them. I'm down in Portland and they told me to get Regis montis and bisalta #3.

I'm also looking at chestnuts. I emailed both  Burnt Ridge and they suggested Whitten North and Whitten South chestnuts. I'm really tempted by their more affordable seedling chestnuts, however!