Correspondence
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From Ottawa
For a while now I have been looking to buy a Chestnut tree for my front yard but have been unable to find a nursery that stocks them. I found your email address on the Canadian Chestnut Council site and thought that you might be someone to contact about information to either buying or growing my own Chestnut tree. I live in Ottawa and have fond memories of the chestnut tree that used to grow just down the street. Any information you could give me (even a push in the right direction or someone else I should contact) would be most appreciated.
- Mark Lindsay
I think your questions are best answered by the current [April] issue of the Canadian Chestnut Council newsletter, the "Canadian Sweet Chestnut."
Let me recommend Mr Ernie Grimo as a possible source of commercial American chestnut nuts and seedlings. He is the most knowledgeable nut-tree man I know.
I'm puzzled by your statement, as few American chestnuts grow in North America now. If there are any in Ottawa, I would appreciate street addresses or other site data as the CCC is compiling locations for future breeding. The trees that attract you may be Horse chestnuts (an imported species), which provided me with "conkers" to compete against others when I was much, much younger. American chestnuts are smaller (less than an inch in diameter) and slightly flattened, and there are three in a more softly bristled husk.
- Ed.
The tree I was referring to was a Horse Chestnut tree. Sorry for raising hopes. I would still like to get my hands on a Horse Chestnut tree or at least a seed though.
- Mark
From Buckhorn, Ontario
I am part owner of a one acre lot up in Buckhorn but that’s as close to the country as I get. We have plans to develop a small B&B type structure on it …it’s full of rocks and weed trees right now!
- Ian Harvey
I'd like to encourage you to use that acre. There is satisfaction in doing what you want to do. Start this fall and plant trees.
Do some research. Poplars grow fastest and can be harvested in 20 years; they are good for pulp wood. Red pines are, in my opinion, most resistant to disease and infection and grow fairly fast. White pines are beautiful and grow a little faster, but they are vulnerable to white pine blister rust and the weavil. Black walnuts grow well on sandy loam and are fairly easy to take care of. Be very cautious about following Ontario government suggestions. Plant at a spacing of 10 x 10 feet (410 trees per acre) or closer. If you want to save yourself considerable labour, plant only conifers and watch them grow; the hardwoods will seed themselves in over the next 50 years. Planting hardwoods is heartbreaking.
Some trees are shade tolerant, some are shade intolerant and some fall between. Some trees are self-pollinating; some aren't. Few books will tell you the difference.
- Ed.
From Norval, Ontario
I came across two wild chestnut trees last week. They are on a farm north of Highway 7 near Norval Ontario.
Both trees were quite healthy. One was about 8" BHD, the other was a copse of three trees, the largest 18" BHD.
The lady on the farm said she planted the trees back in the 50's from nuts she got from a grower in the Niagara region. The trees had catkins and lots of burr-comb on the ground. There may be more trees in the surrounding woods.
The [owners] were quite excited about the trees and hope to have someone look at them. I can show someone where they are if they are of any interest.
- Gerald Martyniuk
I’m sure someone will be out to look at them. Thanks!
- Ed.
From Eastern Ontario
Who would I contact in order to possiblily get a chestnut seedling/sapling or two (or threee, four...) to plant in my yard? My interest is obviously seeing the American Chestnuts return to their former glory and as a birder, I do my best to plant mast/cover species to attract birds. As a resident of Eastern Ontario, I know that chestnuts are not "native" but could they stand a chance here?
As I understand it, Oaks (seem to) offer some protection against the blight when near each other. I have Red Oak on my property (as well as Sugar Maple, and I have planted Silver Maple and will be planting Red Maple, White Ash, Ironwood, Shagbark Hickory, Black Cherry, American Elm amongst others.
- Martin
The CCC's trees - both hybrid and pure native American chestnut - are too precious to sell or give away; they are research material and the basis of future blight-free generations. However, some directors collect nuts in the fall and often give away extra nuts or potted seedlings at the AGM or in the early Spring. Transport is always a problem.
The CCC has recorded American chestnut trees growing in the Ottawa area, Thunder Bay and North Bay. I don't think you need to worry.
The CCC has not really researched the effect of immediate environment on American chestnuts, but our tree registry offers an opportunity. We are aware that the soil must have a pH of between 4.6 and 6.0 - ie, very acidic.
- Ed.