Chestnut drop time

[Native Hunter]

As of today (9/20/24), 1/2 of my dunstans are still hanging and the other half are still holding tight. Non have hit the ground yet and all look to be average size.

That's the kind of info I'm looking for. Thanks, and keep us updated.

I will give an update too. I have some trees that are completely finished and some that haven't dropped a single nut. In between those extremes, some have done a partial drop.

 

[Teeder]

Of my 6 Dunstans, 4 had nuts this year. 1 is halfway through dropping its crop. The other 3 are hanging tight. My American has a small crop and hasn't dropped yet. My early Sawtooth just started dropping. Later Sawtooth are just starting to get a little color.

 

[RGrizzzz]

My Route 9 timber hybrid started dropping in SE PA this weekend.

 

[fingers]

As an update, I have one Chinese Chestnut that is loaded and is the last one that hasn't dropped. Burs are still very green

 

[Native Hunter]

As an update, I have one Chinese Chestnut that is loaded and is the last one that hasn't dropped. Burs are still very green

Good info. Keep is updated on that last tree. Sounds like it could be a late one.

 

[H20fwler]

My Dunstans are just starting to drop.
Picked a few and put them with the ones from a couple weeks ago.
Direct seeded over 100 this morning into the shrub strips.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

My Dunstans are just starting to drop.
Picked a few and put them with the ones from a couple weeks ago.
Direct seeded over 100 this morning into the shrub strips.

How do you go about direct seeding?

I'm thinking of doing the same in early winter (late Nov-early Dec).

 

[H20fwler]

How do you go about direct seeding?

I'm thinking of doing the same in early winter (late Nov-early Dec).

I just randomly plant them 2”-3” deep with a garden trowel in an area with good sun that I would like to have them and walk away.
Then a year or two later usually spot one or two that have made it as I’m doing something else and cage them.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

I just randomly plant them 2”-3” deep with a garden trowel in an area with good sun that I would like to have them and walk away.
Then a year or two later usually spot one or two that have made it as I’m doing something else and cage them.

Easy-Peasy. Thanks!

I have been doing the same with acorns and hazelnuts. I just wanted to make sure when I start with chestnuts that I am not wasting my time.

 

[KY wild]

H20, do you more or less plant them soon after picking them up? Any drying necessary? Cold stratification?

 

[H20fwler]

H20, do you more or less plant them soon after picking them up? Any drying necessary? Cold stratification?

I usually gather some up in a bag then plant a couple weeks later but have picked them up and planted same day. I don’t cold stratify I let nature do it.
I really don’t have much effort in the process at all and it has really worked well for me. I’m out checking on the property anyway or heading out to hunt and plant while doing that.
Like I’ve said before, success rate is like 2-3% but I always get a kick out of finding one that has made it.

 

[H20fwler]

One thing I have noticed with the ones that make it is that they are “bushier” when I find them. I don’t know if it’s from being full on natural or that they had been browsed on?

The following spring after I cage them I trim off the lower stuff just like a fruit tree and they have turned out fine.

 

[Native Hunter]

I usually gather some up in a bag then plant a couple weeks later but have picked them up and planted same day. I don’t cold stratify I let nature do it.
I really don’t have much effort in the process at all and it has really worked well for me. I’m out checking on the property anyway or heading out to hunt and plant while doing that.
Like I’ve said before, success rate is like 2-3% but I always get a kick out of finding one that has made it.

This is pretty much what I do too. And, I will always find some that the squirrels plant. Those can be transplanted if you don’t like where they are.

 

[Kdog]

As of today (9/20/24), 1/2 of my dunstans are still hanging and the other half are still holding tight. Non have hit the ground yet and all look to be average size.

Made it to the property today (10/3) on my way back from FL. The 1/2 that were hanging have dropped and are gone. Still have 1/3 hanging and green with a few of them starting to crack. Should be right in a couple weeks when gun season comes in.

 

[fingers]

Good info. Keep is updated on that last tree. Sounds like it could be a late one.

Things really changed this week and the tree dropped 1/2 to 2/3 of its nuts since last weekend

 

[Kdog]

Made it back to the property this morning and found all of the chestnuts dropped on the west side of my place. The east side has 3 chestnuts that have not dropped a nut. I have never paid that much attention to it, but think the difference in sunlight hours may contribute to later drop times.

 

[fingers]

Things really changed this week and the tree dropped 1/2 to 2/3 of its nuts since last weekend

The remaining 1/3 hung on a few weeks and are just about finished dropping but the late hangers appear to all be unfertilized. I had not previously seen a tree that had a mix of fertile and not fertilized nuts on it.

 

[Barndog56]

I had 3 burrs on one of my Chinese chestnuts. They dropped right around October 20th. Doesn't look like they were pollinated.

 

[Kdog]

Mine have all dropped.

 

[fingers]

I had 3 burrs on one of my Chinese chestnuts. They dropped right around October 20th. Doesn't look like they were pollinated.View attachment 70480

That's what my late droppers looked like