Growing Chestnuts

minnikin1 · #1 09/15/05, 07:49 PM

Does anybody have chestnut trees?
I don't really mind if it's the oriental strain or the newly introduced American, I'm just trying to learn more about the reality of them.

Like, how do get that luscious nut out of that sputnik looking hull?
How do you do them in quantity, buy not so much that you can afford some specialized machinery?

Where do they grow best for you? How long from planting to first harvest?

I love them. the trees are quite magnificent to look at, too.

uncle Will in In. · #2 09/15/05, 08:20 PM

Under the spreading chestnut tree, the village smithy stands! Don't think he planted the tree. I guess somebody has to do it if they want a chestnut tree.

patarini · #3 09/15/05, 08:23 PM

Try the american chestnut foundation for info -- my sis is trying to start an illinois chapter and has spent all week hulling nuts from test plots!

mama2littleman · #4 09/15/05, 08:25 PM

I can't answer your questions, but I LOVE fresh roasted chestnuts! I still remember the ones I had at the Christmas Market in Alsace, France, it was an orgasmic experience.

Nikki

Ken Scharabok · #5 09/15/05, 08:47 PM

Uncle Will:

The poem is based on an actual blacksmith shop in Cambridge, MA. It was cut down to widen the street. School children contributed to have some of the wood made into a large chair for Longfellow. After his death it was analyized and found not to be an American Chestnut, but an European Horse Chestnut.

blufford · #6 09/16/05, 07:45 AM

[QUOTE=minnikin1]Does anybody have chestnut trees?
I don't really mind if it's the oriental strain or the newly introduced American, I'm just trying to learn more about the reality of them.

My folks had several Chinese Chesnut trees. They really had an overbearing smell that I found disagreeable. Every year a Chinese family would stop and ask if they could pick up the chesnuts, which was okay with the folks. The trees had to be removed because of storm damage. They were fast growing healthy and spread out with lots of shade. Maybe you should plant a row of them away from the house if you don't like the smell. Toss in a couple Catalpa trees and you have a beautiful tree line. Not a good place for a lawn mower though.....LOLs.....