From a NAFEX perspective, there are some interesting issues that TACF isn't really addressing (but I'm curious about them). The American nut is apparently much sweeter than either the Chinese or japanese - it also contains a higher fat concentration and lower starch concentrations that the other species. (One article suggested that the flavor and composition of the nut is influenced by the species of both the male and female parent - since endosperm - nut meat - contains chromosomes from both parents, this seems reasonable.) Unfortunately, the American nut is a lot smaller than other species' nuts. For a backyard orchardist, the ideal Chestnut tree would probably grow fast, have the growth form of a Japanese or Chinese (low and sprawling), be resistant to blight and phytophora, have nuts as large as a Japanese tree, but with the sweet, rich flavor of the American. Nobody's breeding with these goals in mind, though.
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