The American chestnut tree here on the homestead has plenty of husks but who knows how many nuts I'll be able to find. Last season I only found one and it didn't sprout. A couple years ago I found a few handfuls but they all dried out before I could plant them.
Thankfully, a squirrel has successfully planted an American chestnut for me. I found this tree in the spring with just a couple leaves and have been taking care of it. I'm impressed with it's growth and vigor. A blessing after my struggles trying to grow the nuts I've collected.
The other chestnuts have recovered from an accidental sheep grazing. You can see that this tree is now looking very similar to the tree below which made it through the whole summer without any abuse.
I've been able to meet several of the people in my neighborhood whose properties I've found chestnut trees during bike rides. Some know what they've got and some had no idea. All have agreed to let me collect a few handfuls of nuts to try once again to sprout some seedlings. I'm determined to get as many chestnuts growing as possible!
#permies #permaculture #homesteading #grownostr #meshtadel #selfsovereignty #foraging #chestnut #americanchestnut #socialcapital
quotingChestnut trees survived a sheep attack
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The chestnut trees in this years sheep winter paddock were recently defoliated by the sheep. They have successfully regrown leaves and are looking healthy. Who knows maybe the stress will end up making them more robust in the end. There was so much rain after the sheep ate the leaves I felt confident these trees would have no problem recovering.
The wild seedling american chestnut continues to grow. I will jump for joy if it makes it through to next spring. Such a lucky find.
#permaculture #permies #homesteading #grownostr #meshtadel #chestnut #silvopasture
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