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Mississippi Gardens Newsletter ArchivesIt's chestnut harvest time in Mississippi
Mississippi Gardens Newspaper and Web Column - October 14, 2002

It won't be long before we will hear the tune "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" but now it's chestnut harvest time in Mississippi. Delicious, nutritious chestnuts can be grown in your own garden or landscape!

The new chestnut, named after Dr. Dunstan, is a cross between American and Chinese chestnuts and has been blight free for over 30 years!
The new chestnut, named after Dr. Dunstan, is a cross between American and Chinese chestnuts and has been blight free for over 30 years!

Chestnuts were once a very important tree species in the eastern United States for both economic and environmental reasons. People and wildlife ate the nuts and the rot resistant lumber was used extensively. However, in the early 1900's, the American chestnut was almost entirely destroyed by a fungal bark disease.

It took almost 50 years for a new blight resistant chestnut to be developed by plant breeder, Dr. Robert T. Dunstan, of Alachua, Florida. The new chestnut, named after Dr. Dunstan, is a cross between American and Chinese chestnuts and has been blight free for over 30 years!

Dunstan chestnuts are adapted to climate zones 4 to 9 and are grown from New England to Florida to the Pacific Coast. They produce heavy nut crops yearly with an average size of 25 to 30 nuts per pound. When mature, the tree may reach a height of 40 feet! The large, beautiful, lustrous green leaves and cream-colored blossoms also make them desirable as part of an edible landscape.

Chestnuts can be eaten fresh, roasted, steamed, boiled or micro-waved. One way to prepare them is to crack the shells and microwave for about 3 minutes. Chestnuts are used in dressings, soups, stews, and with vegetables, or in pastries, tortes and ice cream. Chestnut flour is also an important ingredient in cakes, breads and pasta. These are only some of the uses!

Chestnut trees have the size, shape and appearance that make them an attractive addition to the garden or landscape. They have few pests and diseases. In fact, the only drawback is the very spiny burs that encase the chestnut (see photo). The bur opens and may release the nut or both may fall to the ground. Either way, harvest is not difficult. Burs should be collected with a gloved hand and burned.

With a good fertilizer program and irrigation, chestnut trees grow fast and bear in 4 to 5 years. At least two Dunstan trees should be planted to ensure cross-pollination. Prune the chestnut tree to a central leader and be sure to plant on a well-drained site with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5.

If you are considering an addition to the landscape or garden consider the Dunstan chestnut as an excellent choice. This underused tree has great potential for years of enjoyment. Happy Gardening!

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These archived columns were written by Kerry Johnson, a hobby gardener, former weekly newspaper columnist and retired Extension Horticulture Agent for 11 coastal counties in Mississippi.