The 2023 Harvest of American Chestnuts will start about 9-25-23 There are 5 beautiful trees about 40 to 50 feet tall and they have been here for over 50 years, in a small grove. The trees a heavily laden with spiney burrs and the nuts have begun to fall. I and the squirrels and deer will be collecting the American Chestnuts for the next week or two. I store the seeds in air tight containers in refrigerators. >>>> (from the internet) >>>>>> (if you will be planting these American Chestnuts) >>>>>>>> The chestnuts will require a minimum of two to three months of cold before they will germinate. After cold storage the chestnuts can be planted indoors around January thru March. Seeds should be placed on a warm, sunny window sill or in a greenhouse with a temperature of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chestnuts can be harvested from underneath mature chestnut trees after they fall in autumn, usually in SeptemberOctober. Choose nuts that look healthy and plump, without any signs of fungus or rot. 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.
Chestnuts need to have at least three months of cold before they can germinate. (Stratification) A popular method of preparing them is refrigeration. Place your seeds in a plastic bag filled with dry peat moss. Poke holes in the bag with a toothpick to promote circulation and to help prevent the seeds from molding. They should be stored at 36 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (towards the top of the refrigerator). If it gets any warmer than this the seeds may begin to sprout, which makes them harder to plant later on. Check back on the seeds frequently to ensure the peat moss is kept dry, but never allow the peat moss to become soggy. Never freeze your chestnuts, either. The seeds can be pulled from the refrigeration towards the end of February or left in for two to three months. February is when you will want to start growing the seedlings inside. Two different planting methods involve making newspaper cones stapled shut at the bottom, or using paper milk cartons with the bottom cut out. The cut-out bottom allows the roots to form with proper aeration. The cartons should be placed over a window screen or hardware cloth to keep the dirt from falling out of the bottom. Whatever method that you choose, planting the nut is the same. Use a peat moss, sand, and mulch mixture to develop a well-draining soil. Commercial potting mixes are typically too dense for chestnut germination, especially with over-watering. 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.
Step 3 - Keep an Eye on Them. In 14 to 32 days they should germinate, sending up 1" to 2" shoots. These shoots will lean towards the light source so a light directly above them is better.
Once the chestnuts are germinated, place them in a sunny area between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and do not let them reach a temperature below 50 degrees. You can put them in a sunny window, a greenhouse, or under grow lights.