Planting Chestnut Tree's in Georgia

[Stob]

Hi All,

I have an uncle who collected, prepared and germinated a few Chestnuts from the trees in his back yard up in southern PA. He recently gave me five plants to bring back to Georgia, all about 12-18" tall and healthy.

I have read a few articles here and there around Chestnut tree's but know that there are quite a few tree experts on the forum here.

My question is, are there any things to look out for when planting here in the much warmer harder soiled (clay) south? He really took a lot of time with these and I want to ensure that I don't inadvertently do something stupid to kill them. I have never heard of keeping them in the refrigerator for moths and moths to prepare them for germination so I am quite fascinated by them.

Thanks for any help, advise and/or comments.

Jason

 

[Semi-Pro]

I just stuck mine in the ground and put some mulch around them

 

[cj580guitar]

What kind of chestnuts do you have ?

 

[doomtrpr_z71]

As long as you're still in the piedmont and don't mind watering them they'll be fine, if you are too far north they might pickup blight spores and die but nothing can be done about that.

 

[glynr329]

My Chestnut trees are doing great and producing real good. Planted 5 more this year.

 

[longrangedog]

Chinese chestnut trees (probably your variety) are blight resistant as are Dunstan chestnuts which are the old American chestnut tree with enough Chinese DNA to make them resistant as well. There aren't large stands of American chestnut trees left because the blight killed them in the early 1900's. Some Walmart stores have the Dunstan chestnut trees (in pots) for around $35.

 

[fireman32]

My brother in law planted just over 200 hybrid chestnut trees in Dooly Co. he lost 190 of them in their third year. Asian ambrosia beetles attacked them and a virus followed the beetle and killed the trees. These were fertilized and irrigated trees. I keep the trunks of the ones I planted sprayed with insecticide, especially in the spring and summer when they may stress from drought. So far they’ve made it 5 years. Still unsure if they’ll be safe from the beetle after they’re hard barked. Make sure you cage them as well, deer love the leaves and bucks will go out of their way to rub the trunk.

 

[aaron batson]

Mine are looking gooooood - and hopefully we are blessed with a heavy crop

 

[Cwill15]

Mine are looking gooooood - and hopefully we are blessed with a heavy crop

what variety and age are these?

 

[35 Whelen]

Dunstan Chestnut History
https://chestnuthilltreefarm.com/learning-center/dunstan-chestnut-history-2/

 

[Throwback]

I have three dunstans planted last year am hoping to get about 10 more this winter. Two are going well the third had some root issues I don’t expect it to make it

 

[aaron batson]

what variety and age are these?

Mostly Dunstans and some AU Buck III and IVs … I now have about 250 growing

 

[Stob]

I transferred them to 5 gallon buckets for a few weeks with a bit of TLC and then got them planted last week. They are looking good so far. This heat has had me watering them daily.

Sorry for the delay in responses, it's been a busy few weeks. Thanks for all of the replies. When I get back to GA, I will post a few pics.

 

[Barebowyer]

My Chestnut trees are doing great and producing real good. Planted 5 more this year.

How old were they before they produced? I have some in the ground now that are very healthy and four years old and have not produced anything yet.

 

[glynr329]

I tried with the smaller trees and takes about 5 years and some still none on them. I also bought the biggest trees and they grew really fast. I planted some 7 or 8 foot trees this year. Here Is one of mine that is loaded.

 

[aaron batson]

Coming along

 

[NE GA Pappy]

How old were they before they produced? I have some in the ground now that are very healthy and four years old and have not produced anything yet.

I bought mine at Wally World and they produced a few burrs in the 3rd year. They are covered up this year, 5th year

 

[XJfire75]

I’ve got 2 planted in my backyard. They’re 5 years old. No nuts yet but they’re growing well. Hoping to feed a few deer and other critters for the family to watch from the living room.

 

[treemanjohn]

Mulch is critical. Get a tree service to drop a load and keep them dressed if you want big and beautiful trees

 

[SRShunter]

For the guys who have mature trees that are producing chestnuts. Do the deer really like them? Would you say they prefer them over acorns like they claim? BTW yall have some very nice looking trees.