Growing Chestnuts & Persimmons

[PatinPA]

Will a chinese/dunstan chestnut pollinate an american chestnut? I have what I think is an american chestnut growing on my property albeit it's in a terrible spot at the base of a large oak. But it's too big too move and I'd prefer to not cut the oak and it's in a bad spot to be cut. Power lines around. I'd like to see if it would eventually get chestnuts on it. There is a pretty large chestnut at a farm down the road but the nuts never get pollinated and end up small. Just curious if I plant a few chinese or dunstan chestnuts would that work?

 

[RGrizzzz]

Will a chinese/dunstan chestnut pollinate an american chestnut? I have what I think is an american chestnut growing on my property albeit it's in a terrible spot at the base of a large oak. But it's too big too move and I'd prefer to not cut the oak and it's in a bad spot to be cut. Power lines around. I'd like to see if it would eventually get chestnuts on it. There is a pretty large chestnut at a farm down the road but the nuts never get pollinated and end up small. Just curious if I plant a few chinese or dunstan chestnuts would that work?

It will, provided they bloom at the same time. You could try to find some hybrid American trees to pollinate it.

perfect circle farm

fantastic selection of the best seed for eastern growers.

www.perfectcircle.farm

Consider:
Ace
Hansen
Empire Timber

 

[PatinPA]

It will, provided they bloom at the same time. You could try to find some hybrid American trees to pollinate it.

perfect circle farm

fantastic selection of the best seed for eastern growers.

www.perfectcircle.farm

Consider:
Ace
Hansen
Empire Timber

Thanks!

 

[Hoytvectrix]

I did get the soil tested through a lab. The pH came back at 6.8, organic matter at 7%, phosphorus at 60ppm, and potassium at 150ppm. The pH seems to be ok (maybe a bit high not excessive), and there is plenty of nutrients in the soil. I’m still not sure on why I am struggling to grow chestnuts and persimmons.

I wouldn't stress that soil pH. You aren't growing these for commercial production. I have several areas of our farms with a pH even higher than that and the chestnuts are doing just fine.

Lowering a soil's pH is very challenging and often not worth it. Your soil with that high of OM would likely be too buffered to bother trying anyways. I would definitely try multiple cultivars and see what works. Stick with pure Chinese or at least some Chinese hybrids. I use mostly use Burnt Ridge or Perfect Circle for buying chestnut seeds. Feel free to PM me as I can probably send you a few extras that I have and will not need.