[MassChestnutOrchards] We're 100 percent!

[Rudolph A Hempe]

Hi URI/MG Chestnuters:
Today URI Master Gardeners Charlie Samson, Lynn Lydon, Chuck Dawson, Rich Horvath, Gordon Jones and I transplanted several seedlings that were raised in tubes at my house into the orchard to replace some nuts that failed to germinate (8 East Greenwich trees and a lesser number of Exeter trees). In addition, since we had so many seedlings from the Exeter Mother Tree we planted seven of them on the end of the rows where we had no trees. Several Exeter seedling trees are left over and we will pot them up and put them on the East Farm automatic irrigation pad. All of the new seedlings are Backcross 4s.
That means our orchard is now 100 percent planted-out--260 trees plus some. Earlier, it was estimated that we had 90 percent germination from the nuts we planted in April. A recount today indicates that we had closer to 94 percent germination which we can attribute to the effective solar-powered drip irrigation system, good wintering over procedures of the nuts and a great site. With the replacement seedlings in place we have no vacancy! All of the seedlings are now caged and drip irrigated. 
Jonathan Perkins is doing a great job mowing the place weekly. It is nice to see hawks gliding overhead looking for moles and voles which like to attack the trees, The bluebird boxes we built over the winter and installed around the orchard have no bluebirds yet but other birds seem interested. The deer fence continues to keep local Bambis at bay.
Many thanks to all who participated. 
Now it is a matter of checking the orchard from time to time to watch for critters (there is some sort of green caterpillar that has been spotted on some of the leaves--if anyone sees one, capture it, put it in a baggy with a damp paper towel and get it to me so I can have Dr. Steve Alm ID it.
We would like to thank Master Gardener Lee Menard who arranged for a beautiful 8-foot picnic bench to be built by one of her MG mentees. He built it and she donated the wood. It is a great addition to the orchard and a neat place for workers to sit for a rest.
Cynthia Drummond visited this morning and took photos and information for her Blog. I will send out the link as soon as she posts the article.
 Sometime this summer we will have a casual open house and maybe a mini cookout (hotdogs) for visitors. We will give ample notice.

Rudi Hempe
20 Foddering Farm Road
Narragansett RI 02882
401-789-9037
401-212-6168(cell)
AT URI
131 Woodward Hall
Kingston, RI 02881
401-874-4968
celsnews at uri.edu
http://cels.uri.edu/news/index.html
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