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Chestnut trees

Thought about adding 6-8 hybrid chestnut trees around the yard. They are very expensive. Grow tall, straight, disease resistant and a variety of animals use them. Only problem is they recommend planting trees within 50' of each other for pollination purposes. How far apart is too far when planting them?

50'?

I've been planting Chinese chestnuts for a few yrs. I planted them in our apple orchard about 35' apart. Just remember, if they say they will produce in 3-5 yrs expect more like 6-10 unless your watering them regularly.

I bought 10 trees today. I turn 38 on Friday so I doubt I will ever be able to hunt around a mature tree. Elm and Ash are now being wiped out by disease. Just hoping to put a little variety back in the woods

I bought and have planted about 15 of them in the last few years. Most importantly- they do not like to get thier feet wet!!!!!! Plant them in well drained upland not anything that stays wet they will not make it. I had the best luck with trees in the 7 gallon pots. 3 gallon pots were good but not like the older trees. My 5 older ones produced about 30 chestnuts each this year. Fence them with 5 foot western fence or the deer will destroy them. Three posts should support them. Put a circle of weed guard and a foot of bark mulch and that will help keep them moist. I have never watered any of mine but we have not had a hot extended dry spell in the last 4 years- the growing season has been great. They are worth the effort and I have people comment on how nice they look. The 7 gallon trees are now 11-12 ft tall.

Not sure what a 'western fence' is. I use the 6x6 inch concrete reinforcing mesh to protect my young trees from deer. Just stake them down good.

Square fence like at menards

Just a suggestion on a nut tree, I would suggest putting in some butternut and fence them off, it is a deer attractant. Put some in on my property when lived in Wi. and they were taking off very well until the buyer turned the area into a atv track.

I bought 5 dry root stock recently. A combination of three Chinese and two pollinator variety. Hopefully they will make it, I am planting them either this week or next. I have some fabric tree rings to put down and all the wood chips/mulch I can make (ha). I always fence my new trees as well as put bark protectors on them. Maybe a lot of protection but I have to protect from rabbits and deer. I will be 60 this year, my hope is to see them grow and get used by the deer. If I get some extra chestnuts for me, all the better.

Bill

2' window screen, landscape fabric and pea gravel, and 5' concrete wire has worked best for me.

Here is some food for thought.

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