Dunstan Chestnut Trees

[mcbuck58]

That is really cool stuff!!! I tried this one time and set them outside and the squirrels got all of them dug out.

I planted 7 bare root chestnuts from Whitetail Hill earlier this spring. Hoping they take off. I'd like to do this and get more planted

When I set my seedlings outside I take the nut off the tree. I recommend planting in the fall. I plant end of October or first of November. When I plant I water in real heavy then do nothing until March when I clean out the tube. Trees go dormant but here in south central KY ground doesn't freeze so you get a little root growth during winter. That gives them a little jump start for the following summer when less rain. I use a 40"x40" plastic weed mat and use 5' tree tubes. Mat keeps soil moist and no competition from grass or weeds. Tubes protect from rabbits and deer plus condense in hot weather for moisture. I have never watered any of my 360 trees. I don't let my trees branch until they are out of the 5' tube. Then branches for the most part are out of deers reach.

 

[DoubleRidge]

I still get a little condensation under the lid even with the holes. I think that is good to keep moist. I used peet moss many years ago and had a lot of mold. Out of 200 to 300 nuts I usually have 3 to 5 mold. Last stratification period was unusual with no mold at all. Your welcome.

I'll add air holes in container lid and switch from peat moss to potting soil next time...maybe that will reduce mold issue.

 

[DoubleRidge]

That is really cool stuff!!! I tried this one time and set them outside and the squirrels got all of them dug out.

I planted 7 bare root chestnuts from Whitetail Hill earlier this spring. Hoping they take off. I'd like to do this and get more planted

First sawtooth acorns I ever planted in pots got robbed by squirrels....frustrating.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

First sawtooth acorns i ever planted in pots got robbed by squirrels....frustrating.

I'll probably get some more rolling this fall for next spring. We planted 31 trees and tubed/stakes/watered them several weeks ago. A full days worth. I'm "tree'd" out for now

 

[mcbuck58]

Girlfriend held tape for me. Then grandson had to get his own tape measure from his tools.

 

[Tn_Va_Hunter]

Girlfriend held tape for me. Then grandson had to get his own tape measure from his tools.View attachment 222032View attachment 222033View attachment 222034

I done this one year. Had the neighbors report me for growing pot. Lol. Nice looking trees

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

Girlfriend held tape for me. Then grandson had to get his own tape measure from his tools.View attachment 222032View attachment 222033View attachment 222034

Do you mind sharing your process?

 

[mcbuck58]

Do you mind sharing your process?

Not at all. Look at page 5, start with post #92 of this thread.

 

[mcbuck58]

Really leafing out good. Will move outside mid April.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

Really leafing out good. Will move outside mid April. View attachment 223047View attachment 223049View attachment 223050

Thanks for sharing! When and what age do you plant them? Have you had any experience with the Chinese variety?

 

[mcbuck58]

Thanks for sharing! When and what age do you plant them? Have you had any experience with the Chinese variety?

Dunstan has Chinese in it. Go to Chestnut Hill nursery online and you can read the story about American and Dunstan Chestnuts. They are the closest to American. Chinese are more bush like but have been made varieties that are more tree like. Had chestnuts years ago that were more Chinese. The Dunstans did way better and the Chinese that didn't die got pulled out and replaced. I like to plant chestnuts in the fall. Trees I'm growing to be planted this fall. I sell those seedlings starting October 1st.

 

[mcbuck58]

Buds starting to open.

 

[Bucket]

Buds starting to open.
View attachment 223098
View attachment 223099View attachment 223100View attachment 223101

Are those your 8 year old trees? Also, what do you get for your seedlings? I'd like to get 20 for this fall if possible.

 

[mcbuck58]

Yes sir an 8 year old. Think that tree is 16' have other 8 year olds that are up to 22'. $25 each or buy 10 get one free.

 

[mcbuck58]

Chestnuts looking good in my Buzzard Roost orchard. It's my largest with 100 Dunstans and 10 Persimmons.

 

[Bucket]

What spacing do you plant them on?

 

[mcbuck58]

What spacing do you plant them on?

I did 30' between trees and 30' between rows with the trees staggered between rows.

 

[mcbuck58]

I've got up to 10" of growth so far. I can see the catkins are up to 2" also. Look at that bright green leaf color. That's cool. I have some caterpillars that are crawling around. They have nest in the woods on small trees. No nest on any chestnut but I did take out a few nest on apple and plum trees in another orchard. A few have made there way out of the woods to some chestnuts. I need to identify them.

 

[wildlifefarmer]

I've got up to 10" of growth so far. I can see the catkins are up to 2" also. Look at that bright green leaf color. That's cool. I have some caterpillars that are crawling around. They have nest in the woods on small trees. No nest on any chestnut but I did take out a few nest on apple and plum trees in another orchard. A few have made there way out of the woods to some chestnuts. I need to identify them.View attachment 224821View attachment 224822View attachment 224823View attachment 224824View attachment 224825View attachment 224826

Bag worms!

 

[mcbuck58]

Bag worms!

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