The Western Chestnut
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The Western Chestnut Vol. 7, No. 3 Published by The Western Chestnut Growers Assn., Inc. Summer 2005 All fruits and vegetables use oxygen and convert it into carbon A Major Advance in Chestnut dioxide. By sealing up chestnuts within a plastic bag, oxygen is Storage with CALM Storage changed into carbon dioxide. However, a certain level of oxygen is required to keep the chestnuts healthy. Several year’s research Technology has found that for chestnuts in cool storage, a good balance of the highest level of carbon dioxide and a safe level of oxygen is by Stephen Morris achieved by controlling the oxygen within the bag to 4%, under Sydney Postharvest Laboratory Phone: 02 9490 8443 Mobile : 0410603170 these conditions carbon dioxide levels are about 17%. Email: [email protected] For the system to operate correctly, it is essential that the chest- The CALM storage method was presented at the International nuts are stored below 2°C (-2 to 2°C), they are completely sealed Chestnut Congress, Oct 20-23, 2004, in Chaves, Portugal. in the plastic bags and base unit and that the CALM unit is maintained on power and operating within the range of 3.5 to 7% Summary oxygen at all times. This storage system was developed over the last 3 years by Syd- ney Postharvest Laboratory with funding assistance from CGA Development Leading to Current Model This technology was developed out of very promising controlled (Chestnut Growers Australia) and HAL (Horticulture Australia atmosphere work that was done supplementary to the chestnut Limited). The basic design has been finalized and is now pro- research project examining sanitizers and packing funded by tected by a patent. CGA and HAL. The research done to develop this technology has • The basic principle is storage of chestnuts under high carbon involved lots of work on the best oxygen/carbon dioxide levels dioxide levels (>15%) with adequate oxygen levels (>4%) main- for chestnut storage balancing performance and (cont. page 5) tained. • This system enables excellent long term control of rots in chestnuts without use of chemicals for periods of up to 12 months, a very considerable increase over the up to four months Review of Pruning Strategies for currently obtained commercially. Chestnuts Introduction by Ken Hunt, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry The basic concept of the system is that certain crops, like chest- nuts, can tolerate high carbon dioxide in the storage atmosphere Backyard Trees (15 – 23%) when stored in a cool room. High carbon dioxide in the storage atmosphere has the benefit that it prevents growth of Pruning for the home- storage molds and insects. Low oxygen gives some slight benefit owner backyard plant- to storage life of chestnuts (however, it has little effect on storage ing should be minimal. molds and insects). Pruning should start after the trees come Air contains 20.95% oxygen (most of the rest is nitrogen) into bearing, taking off a bottom limb or two a year until there In this issue: is enough clearance for mowing and hand CALM Chestnut Storage Method 1 harvest. Once the trunk Review of Pruning Strategies 1 is developed, allow Cultivar Recommendations 4 the tree to develop Time for Foliar Analysis 4 Author next to a 21-year old backyard its natural spreading National Chestnut Week Events 8 tree (‘Auburn Homestead ‘ Chinese form. If a homeowner Report from Italian Chestnut Sabbatical, Part 2 11 Chestnut) that was slowly limbed up over wants trees (cont. page 3) many years. The Western Chestnut 1 A Message from the WESTERN CHESTNUT GROWERS ASSN., INC. Review of pruning strategies for chestnuts (cont. from page 1) BOARD OF DIRECTORS President PRESIDENT Hill Craddock (423) 755-4341; email to withstand wind and heavy crop loads then removal of branches now also being practiced in Australia and New Zealand provid- [email protected] RESIDENT with “narrow crotches” should occur during the first few years. WCGA P VICE PRESIDENT Lucienne Grunder (209) 848-4816; ing a tight spacing within the row. Intensive culture allows for a HARVEY CORREIA email [email protected] These branches tend to have included bark in the crotch causing shorter time frame to reach full production and possibly maxi- a weak branch with a tendency to split out at the crotch. Weak CORREIA CHESTNUT FARM SECRETARY-TREASURER Ray Young (360) 887-3669; email mize nut production and nut size on a grower’s acreage. Intensive [email protected] structured branches should be removed each spring during the pruning contains the size and shape of the trees so that tree thin- ISLETON, CALIF. DIRECTOR Mark Beam (541) 354-3531; email first few years of tree growth ning is not necessary (Araki, 1998; [email protected] to help develop strong scaf- Bennett et al., 1999). reetings to all! I hope this growing DIRECTOR Mike Gold (573) 884-1448; email fold branches along the trunk Dr. Hitoshi Araki developed the season has finally settled down for G [email protected] of the tree. Japanese pruning system. The Japa- at least most of you. This has been an DIRECTOR Sandy Bole (503) 625-1248; email nese chestnut in Japan has similar unusual weather season for many of us [email protected] tree form but perhaps a bit smaller in the west and I’ve pretty much learned DIRECTOR Harvey Correia (916) 777-4152; email Low-Input Orchard than the Chinese chestnut. Small, to expect the unexpected this year. [email protected] Larger plantings under medium intensity orchard densely planted chestnut orchards designed to maximize production Many of you have orchards that are well into pollination and Newsletter Editor: Mike Gold culture (50-500 trees) should (573) 884-1448 from the limited land available it’s time to start thinking about collecting leaf samples for foliar utilize the modified central- email: [email protected] characterize the pruning techniques analysis. While soil tests are important, it is not an indicator of leader style training sys- Newsletter Coordinator: Rachel McCoy designed in Japan. Initial planting what nutrients your trees are actually taking up. Foliar samples tem used in the California (573) 882-9866 densities of 13 by 13 feet and a final may help you adjust your orchard’s nutrition program during email: [email protected] walnut industry (Aldrich et tree density of 13 by 26 is currently the growing season. We’d appreciate receiving your foliar test al., 1982). Many cultivars Figure 1: Measurements of relative solar radiation within the tree canopy the Japanese industry standard. For results from healthy trees so that we can continue developing a NOTICE do not naturally grow verti- use of typical farm machinery in database of what works well for chestnut growers. Please visit The Western Chestnut is published quarterly by the Western cal central leaders. To ensure Chestnut Growers Assn., Inc. at 203 ABNR, Columbia, Mo., Missouri, an initial density of 13 x www.wcga.net/foliar.htm for additional details. they do, a strong stake should be placed Figure 2: (left) 65211. near each tree and a leader chosen and Re-shaping of 26 is recommended. Dr. Araki’s Copyright 2004. Original articles may be reprinted with written research has shown that chestnuts Ben and Sandy Bole have worked hard to organize this year’s loosely tied to the stake. Central leaders chestnut trees permission of the author and this publication. in Japan. require a relatively high level of annual meeting and orchard tour it will have already been held grown vertically develop leaves and light intensity to be able to set and by the time you receive this newsletter, so I hope I will have buds in a spiral fashion allowing good Single membership is $25 per year per person-- household develop fruit (Araki, 1998). He has enjoyed seeing you all again. I also thank them for their dedica- membership is $35. Members receive The Western Chestnut choices for scaffold branches growing shown a direct relationship between tion in organizing this important event. Your board has been quarterly. For foreign delivery contact the Editor for pricing. in the correct direction. Central leaders the intensity of sunlight within the tree canopy and working on some important matters, particularly a possible name Back issues may be obtained by members. allowed to bend over will develop buds the number of female flowers per cubic foot of change that will be voted on at our annual meeting. Some of you Membership applications may be obtained from the Secretary- on opposite sides of the shoot, not in a canopy . have provided input on items and this is appreciated very much. Treasurer. spiral fashion. The scaffold branches (fig. 1) Please keep your thoughts and ideas coming into your board are selected during the second through POSTMASTER He also correlated light intensity and the propor- members. sixth growing season, allowing for good Send address changes to WCGA, c/o PO spacing between branches in a spiral tion of early flower drop, and determined that the Box 841, Ridgefield, WA 98642. diameter of bearing shoots was correlated to light This will be my last letter as your President and I wish to express fashion along the main trunk. The height intensity and the subsequent fruit size was directly my appreciation to the membership for allowing me to be of ADVERTISING RATES of the lowest scaffold branch depends on related to bearing shoot diameter. Dr. Araki’s pruning methods service to this fine association. I also wish to express my thanks Full page, camera ready (w/1 photo) . $20.00 the individual growers equipment needs. Tree thinning will be limit tree height to 12 - 13 feet and restrict the distance from the to the rest of the board for their support.