Propagating Chestnuts

Chestnuts are an important food for animals, and the wood is suited both for construction and furniture. The trees flourished over a 200 million acre area of the eastern United States until blight hit during the 20th century. The American Chestnut Cooperator's Foundation and others encourage the planting of chestnut trees to restore them to the environment. Chestnut trees are difficult to propagate from cuttings, but even children can grow them from seed.

Chestnut seeds
Shovel
Planting mix of equal amounts of peat, perlite and vermiculite
Tree shelters 1 to 2 feet high
Utility knife
Plastic half-gallon milk carton (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Store your chestnut seeds in the refrigerator at a cold but not freezing temperature until planting time. Do not store the seeds near pears or apples.
- 2
  Select a planting site with acidic soil and good drainage. The best location is a clear area with full sun exposure. Plant in the spring when the soil has thawed.
- 3
  Prepare the chestnut seed. If the seed has developed a long root sprout, cut off some of the root with a knife to make it easier to plant. Do not cut off the entire root or break it off the nut.
- 4
  Dig a hole about 6 inches deep for the seed.
- 5
  Combine the planting mix with an equal amount of soil from the site area. Add the minimum amount of water to make it wet.
- 6
  Fill the hole to 1 inch from ground level using the prepared soil and planting mix.
- 7
  Place the chestnut seed in the partially filled hole with the root down. If the seed has not sprouted, position the chestnut with the flat side down.
- 8
  Fill the hole to ground level with the prepared soil mixture.
- 9
  Put a small tree shelter over the planted seed. Push the shelter 2 inches into the soil to protect the chestnut from rodents and other animals.

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