Chinquapins can be collected in September when the burrs open. Chinquapins are chestnuts. Therefore, if they are not eaten fresh then they must be refrigerated. They can be eaten the same way as chestnuts, boiled, roasted or eaten fresh.

Chinquapins grow in well drained to dry soils. They even do well in sandy soils. Do not plant then in wet soils because they are susceptible to root rot. In addition, like other chestnuts their root system requires a fungus that is naturally found in the top layers of the soil. This fungus does not survive in wet soils. The symbioses of this fungus on the roots of the chinquapin allow it to extract nutrients and do well in poor soils. Chinquapins have spreading root systems that are shallow like many understory trees. For this reason it is critical to keep them watered the first year until their root system develops and spreads out. Once established they are quite drought tolerant and require virtual no maintenance. It is best to plant them in the open away from other trees because chipmunks and squirrels relish them as food and these varmints are reluctant to venture too far in the open. They fear being caught in the open by a hawk, or owl. This is the natural way to protect your chinquapins. A good rule is to plant them at least 50 feet from any woods and you will be the one eating them.