No kidding thats cool but part of me was hoping the deer would gobble them up to fast for that to happen!!! Or was this within a tree cage? Have you noticed if the deer are taking to feeding on them Native Hunter???? Part of me worries these chestnuts aren't all they are cracked up to be. I know its just another piece to the puzzle but just hope they live up to the reputation of being preferred over white oaks. We shall see
Jordan, these were from trees in my FIL's yard within a few feet of his house. I don't doubt that deer come that close to the house at night, but I also know that squirrels bury chestnuts just like they do acorns, so that is my theory. Normally he mowed under these trees, but this year he didn't mow because a new road is taking his house and yard. These seedlings are so small that I know they came up this year. Another reason for my squirrel theory is that some of the seedlings were at least 30 feet beyond the edge of the trees. Those chestnuts didn't fall that far from the tree - something had to carry them there.
I now have 8 potted Dunstan seedlings that I recently bought for $5 each and 12 Chinese seedlings. So I have 20 chestnut seedlings to set soon. I put ribbons on the Chinese seedlings so I would be able to find them in the tall grass when the leaves fall off. Part of them are going on my hunting property and part in my yard. I like eating chestnuts myself.
I have never put a camera on any of the trees at the farm, but I do see the chestnuts disappear. I really think there will be no problem with deer eating them. Maybe next year we will put a camera on a tree and see what happens.
