One Thousand Chestnut Trees - a Whitetail Deer Project

[wbpdeer]

Thanks Neahawg,

I sent an email to them before lunch. I got a reply after lunch - there is no charge for having a tree tested. The main scientist in Asheville is moving to Charlotts' VA at the end of this month. I will send in my samples on Sept 1 or a few days before. I have checked some things and I might have two Americans - crossing my fingers.

Trouble is - I am too inexperienced and will just get them tested to know.

My leaves are thin - hooks are not best - but they be hooks.

These trees are massive in trunk size at waist high.

 

[THE LLC]

Wayne,
Here's three pots of chestnuts I got from the seed you sent. I have had really good luck with starting chestnuts in pots like this in a composted mixture of shavings and horse manure, then separating them in the fall, and bare-root planting them. We shall see.

 

[Neahawg]

Sounds like at the very least they could have some strong American genetics put me down for some if you have enough. I'll make sure you get some plum seeds if Merle hawwgard doesn't if you still want them.

 

[wbpdeer]

The LLC, your chestnut leaves look healthy. You and GraceNmercy out of Texas grow the same way.

I was with a guy that got late dropper Saw Tooth from you - handle is Diamond Hunter. We drove his farm. Your sawtooth are all over it.

He hooked up with you in Nashville as you were headed north hunting.

 

[wbpdeer]

Sounds like at the very least they could have some strong American genetics put me down for some if you have enough. I'll make sure you get some plum seeds if Merle hawwgard doesn't if you still want them.

I believe I can collect over 1,500 off those two trees. I am assuming the burs are pollinated good. They burs size is excellent.

I will put you down for my American?? list. See if Merle wants some of those as well. I got a farm ridge saved for American Chestnuts - all by itself.

 

[Neahawg]

I'll hit him up I thinking he is working on a different project today. He bought a 1997 3500 Chevy dually that he is converting to a fleet side. Pretty cool how it's turning out.

 

[THE LLC]

The LLC, your chestnut leaves look healthy. You and GraceNmercy out of Texas grow the same way.

I was with a guy that got late dropper Saw Tooth from you - handle is Diamond Hunter. We drove his farm. Your sawtooth are all over it.

He hooked up with you in Nashville as you were headed north hunting.

Oh yeah, this past year. How were the trees doing? Did he migrate over here?

 

[wbpdeer]

His trees are doing good. He has tree tubes all over his farm. He has not made it here - yet. I am workin on him slowly. I got another guy in our county over here.
He has great diversity on his farm.

 

[mattpatt]

Just to be clear Neahawg, I think you are wanting some hybrid chestnuts if they are part American and part Chinese. Am I correct in my thinking?

I thought I would wait until the chestnuts drop to determine if they are part American. I actually have six huge trees in two different locations that this appears to be the case. The trees are huge and we don't believe there were many Chinese Chestnuts back then in our country. The leaves have the hooks on the leaves.

Do you know if the ACF charges to test leaves, branches and chestnuts?

Thanks.
WBP

Is the back side of the leaf "slick" or does it have tiny little hairs all over it?

Matt

 

[wbpdeer]

Matt I don't have the leaves in my possession. I will have to revisit the trees. Sorry but I left them in another person's vehicle.

 

[Merle Hawggard]

I believe I can collect over 1,500 off those two trees. I am assuming the burs are pollinated good. They burs size is excellent.

I will put you down for my American?? list. See if Merle wants some of those as well. I got a farm ridge saved for American Chestnuts - all by itself.

Thanks Wayne! I'll score you some plum seed and suckers once they go dormant.

 

[wbpdeer]

Merle Hawggard,

I will get you and Neahawg down on the list. I will be back in touch when it gets about mid September.

I got permission on another tree today. It is Chinese but about 5 minutes away. Easy to hit in the middle of the day.

 

[Diamond hunter]

OK,I figured it out,,ready to give and take..Wayne I need a finders fee on those trees HA

 

[wbpdeer]

OK,I figured it out,,ready to give and take..Wayne I need a finders fee on those trees HA

Trust me I will be fair. I am trained to collect 3,000 a morning. I did twice in 2015. Better hurry up and find some more tree tubes.

Sure am glad you are on this forum. Let the fun begin.

 

[wbpdeer]

I have found that the best way to document starting dates is to take a photo, name it correctly and place it in your collection. I am excited and hopeful I have a great collection season for Chinese Chestnuts. I have expanded my trees that I can collect from. Time is now my friend. I have no obligations other than bow hunting to interfere.

In 2015, my first chestnut was collected on September 6th. It was a keeper.



Weather can certainly impact starting dates. Watch the color of the burs on the tree. Look for burs that swell and the seams begin to show more prominently. These are all indicators of when it is time to get the buckets and gloves to start the collection.

 

[wbpdeer]

Many of my friends ask me why I collect chestnuts?

1. To me the whitetail deer is one of the most beautiful animals on the face of the earth. I can't put into words the fun I have had hunting them and studying them. I have read more about whitetail deer than any other subject in the world. This is my way of paying back to the animal that I respect and love.

2. As you age, your perspective on life changes. I was 61 when I began this hobby of collecting chestnuts. I think it is only natural some people thought I was crazy when they first read, "One Thousand Chestnut Trees - a Whitetail Deer Project." I have remained committed to this project and it has been successful by my standards. I got an order from Maryland last night. I worked long and hard for that one.
Perspective - I want to leave something on this earth when I pass on. Maryland is the 27th state. If I can get one order into the state of Minnesota I will have 28 states. You live in Minnesota and interested in planting chestnuts, please contact me.

3. I like helping people. I had a government job for over 32 years in Tennessee. Public service has been great for me and my family. This project has allowed me the opportunity to help many first time growers. I have been patient and helpful. I have shared professional publications with them. I have answered many questions. None of that was work - it was rewarding to me.

Thanks for reading this post!

You want to grow Chinese Chestnuts, I would be glad to place your name on my distribution list. Send me your name, mailing address, city state zip plus one of the following either a cell phone or an email address.

I will be in touch around the middle of September. Cost is $8 for a box of at least 50 Chestnuts. You don't pay until after you receive the shipment. I am trusting habitat users.

 

[smsmith]

If I can get one order into the state of Minnesota I will have 28 states. You live in Minnesota and interested in planting chestnuts, please contact me.

There's a guy on that other forum, goes by the handle MN_chestnut. I've communicated with him a few times about growing chestnuts in MN, may be worth checking if you want.

 

[wbpdeer]

Thanks Stu,

I will reach out to him. It took all of last year and this year before I got a person in Maryland. Would it be reasonable to think the southern 1/3 of Minnesota is a possible for chestnuts to make it? What do you think?

Appreciate the tip.

 

[smsmith]

Thanks Stu,

I will reach out to him. It took all of last year and this year before I got a person in Maryland. Would it be reasonable to think the southern 1/3 of Minnesota is a possible for chestnuts to make it? What do you think?

Appreciate the tip.

Possibly, yes. I'd lean towards the SE corner of the state as having the best chances of keeping them alive long term. Even here in central MN I wouldn't be surprised if they made it for a decade or so...but then when we get a "real" winter (we had two back to back in '12-'13 and '13-'14) I fear they'd be toast. I'd love to be proved wrong though.

Badgersett Nursery grows some chestnuts for sale as well as for research. They're located in SE MN and I believe are the most northerly nursery growing chestnuts.

 

[wbpdeer]

I sent the guy a message - maybe he will be the one.

Thanks for the heads up. Let me know if I can return the favor.