One Thousand Chestnut Trees - a Whitetail Deer Project

If I remember right, two of your classes have some planted around the county and area. Now that makes me smile.

Appreciate your class projects & I am sure the students do too.

Wayne
 
Yes, the last 2 yrs involved your Chestnuts. It's going to be all Sawtooth this yr.

We are starting a habitat project this spring that will involve direct seeding, planting potted trees grown in the classroom, and a wildlife bundle from the Kansas Forestry Service. Lots of planning for the location, types of plants chosen, and the wildlife that will benefit. The plot is on campus and will become a long-term project. A species survey and plant identification has already happened.
 
Wayne,
Found another one of your little ones today, it was direct seeded last spring after stratifying. Around 18" tall, I cleared out some of the competition around it and screened and caged. It is growing in a good spot about thirty five feet from a row of 3'-4' others I started from nuts I got from you along my fruit orchard.
Also spotted a few the same size at the other farm in some thick briars that came from your nuts planted last spring.

4frZ70X.jpg

KXjpPOb.jpg


It's always nice to spot one peeking out of cover.
 
In that photo - the leaves show a very healthy seedling. Yes it always nice to see one that made it. Chestnuts have a wide time range on when they germinate (show a radicle) or put on top growth.

Thanks for sharing. Down the line some deer and turkey are going to be happy to have some chestnuts to keep them happy and healthy.

Wayne
 
Scott44 said:
I have at least 6 of your chestnut trees that are growing Wayne, there is probably more but that's all I've found checking my tubes so far.

BPH2yjD.jpg
Click to expand...

Some people would not be happy with just 6 but in 5 to 6 years times those 6 can produce a bunch of chestnuts. Feed a herd of deer well I might add. Hope you find more but nature is in charge when it gets down to it.

Good luck and thanks for sharing the feedback.

Wayne
 
I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade but the timeline is more like 10 years before a single Chestnut tree produces anything substantial. Yes they start at 5-6 years but production is usually very limited. I’m just try to be realistic. I’m going through this right now and expecting to get more than a hand full of nuts his early in the game is unrealistic. There are certainly exceptions but for the most part 10 years seems to be a more realistic timeframe to shoot for. Keep in mind all my experience comes from growing from seed. Not with trees that have been grafted such as those from The Wildlife Group.


Matt


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
MattPatt you are a great grower who struggles with Texas conditions and stresses. I have shipped Chinese Chestnuts to northern states (MI, WI & Minn) and they definitely have their stresses.

So I believe we can agree - not all growing conditions are the same. Length of favorable temps is not all the same.

Where a tree is planted on a farm can vary on soil depth, rocks in the subsoil, etc.

If we asked 10 people to define substantial in regard to chestnut production, we know that replies would be wide ranging.

Chestnut trees will vary when they bear even when they are treated well in the same location because some are strong, average and weak.

I planted 5 Chinese chestnuts in my yard at home in April of 2015. In 2017 three of the five chestnut trees produced 51 viable chestnuts. Now that is not substantial but it shows that stress free trees can yield much sooner than you would expect. Two of the five trees are on the path to my greenhouse so I watered them often enough they never suffered.

Of the three trees that produced, one tree was the ace of the bunch with it producing 75% of those viable nuts.

My point - what you see in Texas is controlled by the weather and environment. Trees with less stress can and will usually produce much sooner.

The definition of substantial is not easily define. To me the first year they produces indicates the root system and tree are going to be production (unless they are killed by animals, extreme weather conditions, or shade out by tall trees planted in wrong location).

Now this year will be iffy for my five trees - a windy storm stripped about 1/2 the catkins off them. I hope the other two trees decide they want to produce a few viable chestnuts.

Not all parades are in the same climate.

To anyone that wants their trees to produce sooner - eliminate ground competition and does your best to water them often as possible.

Wayne
 
wbpdeer said:
MattPatt you are a great grower who struggles with Texas conditions and stresses. I have shipped Chinese Chestnuts to northern states (MI, WI & Minn) and they definitely have their stresses.

So I believe we can agree - not all growing conditions are the same. Length of favorable temps is not all the same.

Where a tree is planted on a farm can vary on soil depth, rocks in the subsoil, etc.

If we asked 10 people to define substantial in regard to chestnut production, we know that replies would be wide ranging.

Chestnut trees will vary when they bear even when they are treated well in the same location because some are strong, average and weak.

I planted 5 Chinese chestnuts in my yard at home in April of 2015. In 2017 three of the five chestnut trees produced 51 viable chestnuts. Now that is not substantial but it shows that stress free trees can yield much sooner than you would expect. Two of the five trees are on the path to my greenhouse so I watered them often enough they never suffered.

Of the three trees that produced, one tree was the ace of the bunch with it producing 75% of those viable nuts.

My point - what you see in Texas is controlled by the weather and environment. Trees with less stress can and will usually produce much sooner.

The definition of substantial is not easily define. To me the first year they produces indicates the root system and tree are going to be production (unless they are killed by animals, extreme weather conditions, or shade out by tall trees planted in wrong location).

Now this year will be iffy for my five trees - a windy storm stripped about 1/2 the catkins off them. I hope the other two trees decide they want to produce a few viable chestnuts.

Not all parades are in the same climate.

To anyone that wants their trees to produce sooner - eliminate ground competition and does your best to water them often as possible.

Wayne
Click to expand...

Wayne,

It all boils down to surface area really. A small tree can only support so many nuts. The larger the tree the more nuts it can produce. I don’t care where you are.

Now that’s not to say that there can’t be someone out there with fifty 6 year old trees and they all produce 6 nuts a piece. It can happen but it’s certainly not the norm.

I’m just being a realist here. I still ascertain that 10 years is much more of a realistic outlook for Chestnut trees to produce significant numbers of nuts that can provide a viable food source to the wildlife in the area. I’ve had discussions on this topic with the guys at Chestnut Hill and The Wildlife Group.

Matt


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
These trees were started in RM 18's and moved to 1gal RM pots and kept there till the next spring and then planted out in it's final spot. These trees are not cared for much after the first year, they might be watered once or twice if it's really dry but mostly they are on their own. I have had quite a few have the tops die back and resprout from down below so they really look like a bush now.
 
Scott44 said:
These trees were started in RM 18's and moved to 1gal RM pots and kept there till the next spring and then planted out in it's final spot. These trees are not cared for much after the first year, they might be watered once or twice if it's really dry but mostly they are on their own. I have had quite a few have the tops die back and resprout from down below so they really look like a bush now.
Click to expand...

Given your situation you might consider direct seeding then put a cage around the ones that come up. This will leave the tap root intact and not air prune it. Since you are unable to water frequently I think this would give the tree the best chance for survival.

Matt


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
wbpdeer said:
MattPatt you are a great grower who struggles with Texas conditions and stresses. I have shipped Chinese Chestnuts to northern states (MI, WI & Minn) and they definitely have their stresses.

So I believe we can agree - not all growing conditions are the same. Length of favorable temps is not all the same.

Where a tree is planted on a farm can vary on soil depth, rocks in the subsoil, etc.

If we asked 10 people to define substantial in regard to chestnut production, we know that replies would be wide ranging.

Chestnut trees will vary when they bear even when they are treated well in the same location because some are strong, average and weak.

I planted 5 Chinese chestnuts in my yard at home in April of 2015. In 2017 three of the five chestnut trees produced 51 viable chestnuts. Now that is not substantial but it shows that stress free trees can yield much sooner than you would expect. Two of the five trees are on the path to my greenhouse so I watered them often enough they never suffered.

Of the three trees that produced, one tree was the ace of the bunch with it producing 75% of those viable nuts.

My point - what you see in Texas is controlled by the weather and environment. Trees with less stress can and will usually produce much sooner.

The definition of substantial is not easily define. To me the first year they produces indicates the root system and tree are going to be production (unless they are killed by animals, extreme weather conditions, or shade out by tall trees planted in wrong location).

Now this year will be iffy for my five trees - a windy storm stripped about 1/2 the catkins off them. I hope the other two trees decide they want to produce a few viable chestnuts.

Not all parades are in the same climate.

To anyone that wants their trees to produce sooner - eliminate ground competition and does your best to water them often as possible.

Wayne
Click to expand...

Wayne,

Good to see you posting again

hope all is well with Scotty , the greenhouse, and other projects

bill
 
Regarding direct seeding - I am not good at it but I have made small cylinders of hardware cloth. I close the top of the cylinder together with three cable ties. You can get the hardware cloth down in the soil to help keep the chestnut safer. I use fiberglass stacks that Tractor Supply sells for electrical fence post. I cut them into halves or thirds depending on the ground.

I drive the fiberglass stake in the ground. It is easier to see the top growth and move forward.

Hey TreeDaddy - Scotty and Perry ran in Southwest Indiana on June 2nd in the heat. We went 4 for 4 on passes. Had a great time. Training two dogs individually with the other one in the box to watch has improved Scotty's focus and improved Perry's drive. The secret is to change them out real quick - every 6 to 8 minutes. Adding times together for all Senior Dogs at that Hunt Test, my Scotty was the fastest Senior. He beat dogs that had been schooling us. Proud of my black lab.

First time I have ran Perry and he got two passes. His trainer ran him in late January and he earned his first two passes then. Perry's nickname is firecracker - 'cause he has explosive energy. The trainer got that 90% under control. Maturity will take care of the last 10%.

I have two outstanding dogs that have been a ton of fun to be with and train. My greenhouse has plenty of chestnuts trees in it that I water once a day right now.

Wayne
 
To add to the direct seeding topic. I just use whatever have available to protect the nut. Lately I’ve been reusing old 5’ tree tubes by cutting them in half. I’ve tried covering the tops to protect against a rodent going up and over but can’t tell that makes much of a difference as I’ve left some uncovered and those were fine as well. I’ve also cut the bottom off of a two liter soda bottle and used that. I’ve used corrugated drainage pipe in a pinch. However, I like to use clear or opaque items as it still lets the light come through. Then after the seedling puts on its second set of leaves I remove what’s left of the nut.

Matt


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
FamilyTradition

Those green leaves look perfect. Hope you have that kind of great luck on other seedlings. Yep - they look perfect to me.

Wayne
 
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