Chestnuts?

[aaronc]

I knew the Dunstan's were mostly Chinese but with all the reading I did I simply had no confidence in a pure American at this time. If they get it figured out I'd be as excited as anyone to put some in the ground.

 

[mcbuck58]

Dunstan chestnut is basically a marketing term. It's predominately an Asian chestnut. Dunstan trees aren't grafted. They are grown from nuts (offspring) rather than an exact replica you'd get from grafting. For that reason, the exact percentage of the Dunstan chestnut is unknown. It's not 50% though. I'd venture to say it's closer to 15/16 Chinese than 50%. If you're growing from seed, you'd probably be better served growing an asian variety that produces a good tonnage, flavor, or whatever it is you're most interested in.

There are groups trying to breed Asian and American chestnuts but, from what I understand, they aren't having a ton of success getting the American characteristics while maintaining blight resistanance. More promising is introducing a transgenic wheat gene into full American varieties. This gene helps the tree attack the blight and then the tree recovers. Currently, a chestnut group is waiting for the USDA to approve this GMO chestnut before it's going to be released to the public. Call me a nerd, but it's pretty remarkable what's being done.

Here's some more information on that for those interested:

Rut-n-Strut are the statements in your first paragraph your opinion? Where is your information coming from. My research doesn’t quite come up with all your statements. Let’s also use a little common sense, our forest are reproducing by nuts (offspring) for millions of years. So our forests have been and are constantly evolving. Not trying to start an argument, just trying to learn all I can.

 

[Rut-n-Strut]

Rut-n-Strut are the statements in your first paragraph your opinion? Where is your information coming from. My research doesn’t quite come up with all your statements. Let’s also use a little common sense, our forest are reproducing by nuts (offspring) for millions of years. So our forests have been and are constantly evolving. Not trying to start an argument, just trying to learn all I can.

Dunstan chestnuts are grown from nuts of an alleged blight resistant American crossed with in a grove of Chinese chestnut trees. The trees I've grown and seen from others bear little in common with the American chestnut. The trees are shorter like the Chinese. The leaves don't resemble American. The nuts are large unlike the American. The crops aren't any better than most chestnuts readily available, including those sold for much less by state nurseries. You're welcome to read the patent on the Dunstan to verify. Don Higgins has a video on them. There are numerous other discussions online about the Dunstan as well.

I'm not saying don't grow them but don't expect your Dunstan to resemble American chestnuts. They've done a great job of marketing it. Personally, I'd get a known Chinese or Hybrid varieties with qualities you're looking for or perhaps grow seed from a quality source. If you want to grow Dunstans by all means go for it. Perhaps research it a bit more just to make sure you're getting what you want.

 

[Fit2KillProstaffer]

Forgive me if this has already been mentioned but I would highly recommend consulting with the local Division of Forestry. You can also buy trees from one of the two state nurseries.

Division of Forestry - Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet

eec.ky.gov

 

[aaronc]

Dunstan chestnuts are grown from nuts of an alleged blight resistant American crossed with in a grove of Chinese chestnut trees. The trees I've grown and seen from others bear little in common with the American chestnut. The trees are shorter like the Chinese. The leaves don't resemble American. The nuts are large unlike the American. The crops aren't any better than most chestnuts readily available, including those sold for much less by state nurseries. You're welcome to read the patent on the Dunstan to verify. Don Higgins has a video on them. There are numerous other discussions online about the Dunstan as well.

I'm not saying don't grow them but don't expect your Dunstan to resemble American chestnuts. They've done a great job of marketing it. Personally, I'd get a known Chinese or Hybrid varieties with qualities you're looking for or perhaps grow seed from a quality source. If you want to grow Dunstans by all means go for it. Perhaps research it a bit more just to make sure you're getting what you want.

All I wanted was a good chance at growing a Chestnut,...I'll take a little American in it VS none.