Chestnut plantings - Ask Extension
I have access to some chestnut seedlings and am planning to plant them in a pot outside for awhile this summer and keep them inside for the winter. H...
Knowledgebase
Chestnut plantings #867824
Asked May 09, 2024, 10:09 PM EDT
I have access to some chestnut seedlings and am planning to plant them in a pot outside for awhile this summer and keep them inside for the winter. How big should they be before they can be transplanted outside ? Will they grow in this area ? I know this is a bit north of their natural range.
Delta County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
There are many varieties of chestnut that grow well in Michigan and would probably do better planted properly outdoors rather than staying in pots next winter. They are more likely to become root-bound and have more difficulty once you plant them the longer they stay in the pots. I am attaching two articles below. One is about the varieties that might do best here in Michigan, and the second article addresses seedling care.
1. https://www.canr.msu.edu/chestnuts/horticultural_care/michigan-cultivars
2.https://ecosystems.psu.edu/research/chestnut/breeding/planting/planting-manual.pdf
Do not neglect to protect the trees from deer and other animals- there are some good suggestions in the second article that refer to that.
I hope this answers your questions.
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
Ruth
There are many varieties of chestnut that grow well in Michigan and would probably do better planted properly outdoors rather than staying in pots next winter. They are more likely to become root-bound and have more difficulty once you plant them the longer they stay in the pots. I am attaching two articles below. One is about the varieties that might do best here in Michigan, and the second article addresses seedling care.
1. https://www.canr.msu.edu/chestnuts/horticultural_care/michigan-cultivars
2.https://ecosystems.psu.edu/research/chestnut/breeding/planting/planting-manual.pdf
Do not neglect to protect the trees from deer and other animals- there are some good suggestions in the second article that refer to that.
I hope this answers your questions.
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
Ruth
