Choose nuts that look healthy and plump, without any signs of fungus or rot. When you’re ready to plant, dunk the conkers into a glass of water. Put some stones at the bottom of the pot and fill it almost to the top with compost. Once the chestnuts are planted, place them in a sunny area between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and do not let them reach a temperature below 60 degrees. Note that seeds germinated indoors should be treated as seedlings and, as such, transplanted outdoors during the spring according to the guidelines marked in the "Starting from Seedlings" section. Water helps the soil settle and removes any air pockets that were otherwise trapped inside the packed growing medium. Chestnut trees can grow in a range of climates and can be started from either seed or seedling. By using our site, you agree to our. On the adjoining drainages on National Forest property where found younger Chestnut trees growing. When the central leader reaches 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) high, cut it down so that it is as short as a side branch. Tree shelters offer good first season protection against small animals, weeds, drought, mower and chemical damage. Avoid heavy clay soils. Each conker contains one seed so you will need to gather 8 conkers if you want 4 trees, because not all the seeds that you start will germinate. Water the soil well after you plant the tree. The seeds can be pulled from the refrigeration towards the end of February or left in for two to three years. For best results, place the chestnuts in a vegetable crisper to prevent them from accidentally freezing. Before planting, be sure that the soil is acidic. Hybrids and cultivars are problematic because they are a cross between two or more species, causing their seeds to grow with traits of the parents rather than the hybrid. Chestnut trees will grow in partial shade but they grow slow and will not produce lots of chestnuts. Adult weevils lay eggs in developing nuts. The American Chestnut Foundation Growing Chestnuts From Seeds to Seedlings Before Transplanting Introduce leafed out seedlings to the outdoors gradually, to allow time to acclimate to solar radiation Start by plac-ing them outside in a sheltered location, such as on a sun porch or under a shade tree. You can usually harvest the nuts by simply collecting them off the ground as they fall. Check around with your neighbors. Prepare a large hole by breaking up the soil and adding plenty of well-rotted organic matter. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Direct seeding is the easiest way to do chestnut tree propagation. Tip: The first month after planting, gently remove the chestnut seed from the seedling. A sturdy seedling should grow from the nut within two or three months. Transplant the seedlings outside in a prepared hole, but only after removing the seed hull attached … Place the chestnuts in a plastic bag filled with slightly damp sphagnum moss, peat moss, or sawdust. You can then collect them in the sheet and dispose of it. Pick a sturdy central, upright stem. Never plant chestnuts at the bottom of a slope. Get rid of the weevils before they become a problem by spraying the tree with an insecticide once nut burs begin to develop. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. Mulch also helps the soil retain moisture. Cover fall-planted seeds with 6 to 18 inches of mulch. Trees planted in colder regions such as USDA zone 5, may bear between 5-7 years of age. How to grow your Horse Chestnut trees. Prevention is your best option. After cooking the chestnuts, you can only store them in the refrigerator for three or four days. Soils that contain rocks and gravel are also acceptable. Keep in mind that chestnut trees standing on their own will usually produce shriveled seeds that will not germinate because they have not been properly pollinated. % of people told us that this article helped them. Note that you do not need to cover the seed if you are starting it indoors. Growing a chestnut tree from a seed requires you follow a few steps in order for the seedling to develop correctly. The cartons should be placed over a window screen or hardware cloth to keep the dirt from falling out of the bottom. After the first month or two, you should still make sure that the tree receives 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water each week during the growing season. Direct seeding in the field usually doesn’t work; it’s just an expensive way to feed wildlife. Before you begin, make sure that you have enough space for two trees. If a next-door neighbor has a chestnut tree growing in their yard, that might be sufficient for yours. It eventually develops into a large canker. Poke a few drainage holes in the bottom of a half-gallon (2 L) cardboard milk carton. View our Privacy Policy here. If the chestnut has begun to sprout, make a hole with your finger or a twig that is the length of the radical, or seed root. The're also the keepers of the future of their species. Copyright© A popular method of preparing them is refrigeration. We started with 88 chestnut seeds in the fall. I am very impressed with the prompt shipping and great packing. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". During its first month or two, the chestnut tree will need 1 gallon … This will give the seedling a chance to grow and establish itself before the screen has to be removed. Avoid places with clay soil and high elevations. Fill the hole halfway with a peat moss, sand, and perlite mixture. Cut the top off the carton, as well. In the Northern Hemisphere, from November to February. Wahl and Dice place chestnut saplings into 5-foot-high shelters. After five to seven years, though, it’s off to … Once a tree is established, it needs little assistance to grow and produce; but you’ll want to make sure you give your tree the best foundation possible. I have five Ash trees. This will help to keep the deer and rodents away. Buy Chestnut Trees Buy Chestnut Seeds Buy Chestnut Products Growing Trees From Seed Starting your own chestnut trees from seed can be fun and it may save you money. Place the chestnut on its side 1 to 1 1/2 inches into the mixture, and ensure that you have a stable place to set your containers. Tip: You can also store your chestnuts in moist sawdust, unmilled sphagnum, sand, or vermiculite. The best way to do this is by applying organic mulch around the tree. A number of years ago at Syringa, Idaho along Highway 12 a group of American Chestnuts were found growing in a field. You can also use leaves that are not fully composted yet. You also need to decide if you are going to start your seeds indoors or outdoors. When the eggs hatch, the larvae consumes the meat inside of the nut. Once the burs naturally open, you can collect the nuts. You may freely link Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Doing so will encourage leaf production, but the tree needs to focus its efforts on root production during this time. After the first growing year, decrease watering to hot days and times of drought. Ideally, the soil should have a pH between 4.5 and 6.5. A trick for acclimating your seedling to outdoor weather is to place the container outside under the shade of a tree with newspaper or hay around the roots to keep them warm. Generally, plan on … The ideal growing medium should contain large quantities of organic fibrous material. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Alternatively, you can lay a sheet beneath the tree and give the branches a sturdy shake. Like many trees, propagating horse chestnut trees will require time and patience. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Grow-Chestnut-Trees-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Chestnut-Trees-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Grow-Chestnut-Trees-Step-1.jpg\/aid5192496-v4-728px-Grow-Chestnut-Trees-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"