You would want to grow Chinese trees or Chinese hybrids that are blight resistant. They should do very well for you in Alabama, which, climate-wise, closely resembles some of the best chestnut growing areas in China. Growing Chinese chestnuts in Alabama is as natural as you can get. Compared to growing most fruit trees, chestnut trees are a dream. Stronger trees and fewer disease and pest problems. Most people find the smell of the flowers inoffensive but even if you don’t like it, it only lasts for about a week. You also want to get the best quality seed nuts or seedlings you can find. Empire Chestnuts and Red Fern Farm are good places to start. I can send you seed nuts from some of the best Chinese chestnuts grown in the US. I don’t sell them and I don’t send out very many but they’re free and the quality is excellent.
First are Jenny nuts-
Emalyn’s Purple nuts-
Kyoung nuts-
Gillet nuts - these are European/Japanese but will be pollinated by Chinese so they might be blight resistant-
