Penns Clave 2011 - The Preview

On Apr 28, 9:57*pm, "Russell D." wrote:
Giles wrote:
On Apr 28, 3:50 pm, "Russell D." wrote:
Giles wrote:

Meanwhile, chestnuts were misplaced. *Have recently been repatriated.
Don't recall now whether I have your snail mail address. *Please
resend. *Seeds will be sent out within the next week.....both American
and Chinese.
giles
anyone else who would like seeds, ditto.
I haven't paid too much attention to the Chestnut Tree discussion. What
kind of climate do these trees need?

Russell

They aren't especially fussy. *Historically, the American chesnut grew
throughout the Appalachians and much more of the eastern U.S.
besides. *Today they are grown successfully pretty much anywhere in
the lower 48 excepting the southernmost regions, deserts, and high
mountains.

You want some?

giles

Hmmm. Desert. High mountains. Well that pretty much describes Wasatch
Front, Utah.

Deserts and high mountains are ruled out....in general. The truth is
that virtually all plants can survive, and sometimes even thrive, in
locales far outside their native environments. What counts is
microenvironment. Find a relatively sheltered spot with suitable soil
and sufficient water, you're good to go. Chestnuts thrive here under
fairly harsh winter conditions. Temperatures down to -30 (F.) are not
uncommon. Summer temps can go as high as a hundred. Exceptionally
dry conditions would require that very young trees be watered. If
adult trees can reach down to the water table they should tolerate
considerable heat.

I'll do some research. You seem to have seeds available every year. I'm
not ready this year but hopefully next.

I should have seeds available for as long as I'm associated with the
tree farm here. There are no guarantees, but I expect to be here for
another year or two at least.

Russell

Guess I could go "Johnny Chestnutseed" in the forest.

The odds are very definitely against finding any wild chestnuts in the
forests of the west. Not even good in the east. But if you ever do
find any, be sure to let me know. It could be a VERY important
find.....not likely, but just barely possible.

giles