The Back 40 Posted September 28, 2023 Posted September 28, 2023 I know that nearly all of the American chestnuts were wiped out from the blight, but there is a large/old chestnut tree on the front lawn of a house near me. The ground, driveway and sidewalk were cover in chestnuts the other day. I can't imagine the hybrid blight resistant versions of these trees have been around all that long. If this is an American chestnut that has not been affected by the blight could the nuts/seeds bare trees that are blight resistant or is this just one that has not yet succumb to the blight? I grabbed two of the nuts (yeah I know, laugh it up) and considered going back to talk to the owner about gathering some more to try and plant, but I don't want to waste my time if they are just going to die in a few years. cervidchasers and Rusty 2
G-man Posted September 28, 2023 Posted September 28, 2023 Chestnut or buckeye? Leaves , burrs , nuts are different. I have several pure and many hybrids.
The Back 40 Posted September 28, 2023 Author Posted September 28, 2023 30 minutes ago, Rusty said: There are a few surviving chestnuts still around, and the groups that are working with them want to know about any surviving trees. Can you get pictures of the tree, leaves, and nuts? These are the nuts, they had their thorny husk on them when we picked them up but we removed them. I may be heading over that way tonight and I will get pics of the tree and leaves if we do. Bucksnbows, Rusty and mowin 3
dbHunterNY Posted September 28, 2023 Posted September 28, 2023 we don't have them but i think american chestnuts have a fury looking spiked husk over the nuts and buckeye have more of a smoother husk with far less spikes that more resembles an exotic fruit. i think chestnuts have a more grainy surface like an acorn. those look smoother like a buckeye maybe. we'll find out with more pictures.
escpen Posted September 29, 2023 Posted September 29, 2023 4 hours ago, The Back 40 said: These are the nuts, they had their thorny husk on them when we picked them up but we removed them. I may be heading over that way tonight and I will get pics of the tree and leaves if we do. Those look like buckeyes to me. G-man 1
Wolc123 Posted September 29, 2023 Posted September 29, 2023 I like the color of American Chestnut more than any other wood. There was a time, long ago, when it was the predominate species in our region of WNY. Most of my deer blinds are sided with it, as is my woodshop. I recovered that from my great great grandads old barns. Those were built in the early 1880’s. Here’s some, with a clear polyurethane finish, that were cut from those old barns: You know that a color is good, when it’s named after a tree. Some folks like cherry, some like walnut, but I’ll stick with the chestnut. Rusty, Bucksnbows and Mattypotpie8s 3
G-man Posted September 29, 2023 Posted September 29, 2023 Those look like buckeye.. called horse chestnuts..never saw anything eat them.. threw a bunch at each other as kids..
LET EM GROW Posted September 29, 2023 Posted September 29, 2023 Kinda looks like a horse chesnut. I have a mature one in the backyard of my camp. It grows a ton of nuts every year but nothing ever eats them.. The Back 40 1
The Back 40 Posted September 29, 2023 Author Posted September 29, 2023 So, after speaking with the home owner they are Horse Chestnuts, also known as Toxic Horse Chestnuts which explains a lot. They are toxic to humans and have a very bitter taste which most animals don't like. The husk is very thorny not "furry" like traditional chestnuts. escpen and dbHunterNY 2
Bucksnbows Posted September 29, 2023 Posted September 29, 2023 46 minutes ago, The Back 40 said: So, after speaking with the home owner they are Horse Chestnuts, also known as Toxic Horse Chestnuts which explains a lot. They are toxic to humans and have a very bitter taste which most animals don't like. The husk is very thorny not "furry" like traditional chestnuts. Horse chestnuts are nowhere near the height or size of American chestnuts. Also, every early fall before other plants’ leaves start turning colors, the horse chestnut leaves turn brown and dry up like they were suffering from severe drought. Even years like this wet one. That’s normal for that tree. We have some down the road I’ve watched the last 25 years living here. "A sinking fly is closer to Hell" - Anonymous https://www.troutscapes.com https://nativefishcoalition.org/national-board
G-man Posted September 29, 2023 Posted September 29, 2023 20 hours ago, Bucksnbows said: It’s amazing to think that Sparta Mountain once had a 90% chestnut forest and all the other species including oak and hickory which are now dominant only made up 10%. Main reason for elimination of the passenger pigeon.. was their main food source when forests were cleared pigeons declined . Nuts were so plentiful animals couldnt eat them all and they would feed the birds all nesting season.. Bucksnbows 1
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