Castanea Mollissima) Production in the Central Region of the United States Michael A
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HORTSCIENCE 51(11):1339–1343. 2016. doi: 10.21273/HORTSCI11157-16 The Potential of Greater Chinese Chestnut (Castanea mollissima) Production in the Central Region of the United States Michael A. Schnelle1,2 Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-6027 Additional index words. food crops, specialty crops, Castanea sp., nutrition, flowering, fruiting Abstract. Although many areas of the United States are suitable for chestnut (Castanea sp.) production, less than 1.0% of chestnuts are domestically produced with most U.S. orchards less than 30 years old. Furthermore, the majority of U.S. citizens are not accustomed to chestnuts as a mainstream nut crop but rather associate them with winter holidays. Because nearly all chestnuts are imported, agricultural producers have a significant incentive to expand U.S. chestnut production and command top dollar because of their crop being locally produced and potentially certified organic. With cultural and postharvest practices becoming more refined, growers are poised to seize this niche crop opportunity. The United States imported 3781 t of central region of the United States, due to its given year would be worthy of a grower’s chestnuts in 2011 valued at U.S. $12.4 million pest and disease resistance as well as supe- resources and financial inputs (Michigan State (Rock Bridge Trees, 2015). Chestnut produc- rior cold hardiness when compared with University, 2015a). tion is worldwide with producers and their other chestnut species (Warmund, 2011; market share being China 40%, Korea 15%, Hunt et al., 2012). Chinese chestnut is also Italy, Turkey, and Japan about 10% each; grown with varying success in other areas of POLLINATION France, Spain, and Greece 4% and the United the Continental United States (Payne et al., Chestnuts are primarily self-sterile and thus States, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and 1983). It continues to be favored due to its at least a second cultivar is required (Gold, Argentina, less than 1% each (Olsen, 2000). superior cold tolerance (as low as –30 °C) and 2014). In chinese chestnut orchards, where all Fewer than 1600 ha of chestnut trees were in greater resistance (Warmund, 2011) (not im- trees produce pollen, the recommended or- production in the United States in 2011 (USDA munity) to chestnut blight [Cryphonectria para- chard design is to establish alternating double 2012 Census of Agriculture). Chestnuts are sitica (Murrill) Barr.] relative to other chestnut rows of a given cultivar in a repeated pattern a novelty crop for U.S. consumers and the nuts species. Chinese chestnut, while less sweet and (needing at least two cultivars). This double are primarily imported from other countries. flavorful than american chestnut, is considered row method provides diversity in the orchard United States’ consumers are not as inclined to by those most familiar with this species as better and results in excellent pollination if the purchase Castanea nuts as are consumers in tasting than European or Japanese chestnuts. nearest pollen source is no more than 20 m other regions of the world. Consumption figures Chestnut cultivars share several common sen- away. The pollen parent may influence the are 1.8 kg per capita in Korea, 0.9 kg per capita sory attributes yet differ in intensity ratings of pollinated nut, especially as it pertains to nut in China, 0.45 kg per capita in Europe, and 0.05 six descriptors. Sweetness has been associated size (metaxenia). Historically, chestnuts are kg per capita in the United States (Olsen, 2000). with consumer acceptance and can be promoted considered to be primarily wind pollinated, Various chestnut species (Castanea sp.) are in the marketplace (Warmund et al., 2011). native to all three continents of the Northern although many insects visit their flowers and Hemisphere. American producers are cur- aidincrosspollinationtoensurefruitset rently growing seedlings and cultivars of PLANTING PROCEDURES (Payne et al., 1983). Fruits are contained in chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima Bl.), spiny cupules (involucres), 5–11 cm in diam- european chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), Because chestnuts bear on current sea- eter, also called burs. Burs are often clustered and interspecific hybrids of European and son’s growth, shading is detrimental to nut on the branch and typically contain up to three Japanese (Castanea crenata Mill.)selec- production. Generous spacing or aggressive nuts in chinese chestnut if all ovaries are tions. Cultivars of interspecific hybrids of pruning must be employed with the former pollinated. When producers fail to plan for chinese, japanese, and american chestnuts being more desirable. Mature chestnut trees, trees’ pollination requirements, burs may still aged 15 and above, need at least 13 · 13 m form without pollination (parthenocarpy) but [Castanea dentata (Marshall) Borkh.]also · can be found growing in the United States. to 15 15 m spacing between them. Growers without chestnuts inside. Pollinator trees are However, chinese chestnut has proven to be that elect to initiate their orchards with seed- spaced 10 to 20 m of each other to ensure cross the most reliable species particularly in the lings, either from direct seeding or young pollination and optimal nut set throughout the liners, should ideally plan on later top grafting orchard (The Center for Agroforestry at the young trees with select scion wood from University of Missouri, unpublished data). named cultivars to create uniformity and early Consequently, growers balance pollination Received for publication 12 July 2016. Accepted bearing in the orchard. With already budded or needs with chestnuts’ requirements for maxi- for publication 18 Aug. 2016. grafted cultivars directly planted in the field, mum sunlight. Ideally, chestnuts will not grow This paper was part of the colloquium ‘‘Alternative however, initial spacing is wider since fewer into one another as shading reduces flowering Specialty Crop: Opportunities and Challenges,’’ pre- trees are removed, if any, over time. Profitable and nut set and fosters overall tree decline sented at the 2015 ASHS Conference, New Orleans, commercial chestnut growers use grafted trees (Michigan State University, 2015b). Seedlings LA, on 4 Aug. 2015, and sponsored by the Working for uniformity. While chestnut growers may bear fruit, often erratically, in 4 to 7 years Group of Asian Horticulture, Tropical Horticulture experience successful yields from seedling- whereas cultivars may start bearing within 2 to Working Group, and Pomology Working Group. derived orchards, research indicates that named 3 years (Fulbright, 2012). Grafted cultivars at This paper is partially supported by the Oklahoma cultivars are often prudent and a worthwhile 9 · 9 m centers with 125 trees/ha, may yield at Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma State Uni- –1 versity, Stillwater, OK. investment for consistently achieving supe- least 840 kg·ha between the 6th to 9th year 1Professor and Extension Specialist rior and precocious yields. Researchers at after grafted selections are planted (Hunt et al., 2Corresponding author E-mail: mike.schnelle@ Michigan State University (MSU) estimated 2012). Once the orchard is 12 to 15 years old, okstate.edu. that only 10% of seed-grown chestnuts in any the grower may harvest up to 2240 kg·ha–1. HORTSCIENCE VOL. 51(11) NOVEMBER 2016 1339 Trees are pruned with the goal of a standard whereas bearing chestnuts should produce from the ground at least every other day is central leader. As trees start to shade one 30 to 38 cm new growth per season (Hunt helpful. Additionally, harvested nuts bathed another at 15 years, every other tree is removed et al., 2012). Nitrogen rates, in particular, in 49 °C water for 30 min effectively kills on the diagonal to leave trees on a 13 · 13 m could be adjusted based on annual average weevil eggs, followed by immediate cool spacing or 64 trees/ha. A second thinning may vegetative growth. down at 0° for storage (Gold, 2014). Japanese be necessary before chestnuts attain their final beetles (Popillia japonica Newman) are also spacing of 15 · 15 m or 42 trees/ha. BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC CHALLENGES a significant pest. They can destroy as much as one-third of the upper canopy if left uncon- CULTURAL NEEDS Biotic challenges such as mammalian trolled (M.R. Warmund, unpublished data). In pests including but not limited to deer, feral summary, chestnuts are susceptible to a num- While chinese chestnut withstands –30 °C hogs, gophers, voles, mice, and rabbits are all ber of pests, diseases, and abiotic disorders when fully dormant, buds near the terminal possible to encounter in chestnut orchards. only a few of which were listed above. end of shoots may be injured by temperatures Deer are a particularly significant threat in However, the fact that some growers are slightly warmer, should a rapid temperature most chestnut-growing areas of the United successfully growing the species in an organic decrease occur. Chestnuts are early to leaf out States. Graft failures on selected cultivars fashion or a nearly pesticide-free environment in the spring following a mild winter and thus have been reported as late as 7 to 8 years after (Hunt et al., 2012) indicates that many of the are susceptible to cold injury particularly in initial grafting (e.g., with ‘Eaton’) (Hunt challenges are avoidable altogether or are the eastern United States. Researchers sug- et al., 2012). Sunscald (southwest disease or otherwise manageable through appropriate gest not planting them in frost pockets but southwest injury) may occur on young trees cultural practices such as strict sanitation. rather using sloping land to enhance cold air with thin bark. Tree trunks can be damaged drainage. Heat issues are not as critical with when temperatures rise above average for HARVEST/POSTHARVEST chinese chestnut growing down into Florida a few days in the winter followed by a sudden CONSIDERATIONS and other regions to at least USDA hardiness drop in temperature. This temperature differ- zone 9.