[MassChestnutOrchards] possible new mother tree near ACF orchard in Granville, MA

[John Meiklejohn]

 Kendra, Charlotte, Jamie et al -
    Two items:
        A.  This week on Silver St., just over the MA/CT line in North Granby CT, I found a ~50ft Chestnut [likely American] in heavy bloom right by the roadside allowing easy access with a bucket truck.  There was no sign of blight but I'll need to get a closer look.  The property owners were excited to learn that they may have an Am. Chestnut and I gave them info on the MA and CT chapters from the respective websites.  I will go back this week to get a leaf sample and send it to Kendra for IDing.  See the pics below. 
      6/27/10 Chestnut, possibly American, in bloom on Silver St., North Granby, CT, just over the MA/CT state line 
     
      6/27/10 Chestnut, possibly American, in bloom on Silver St., North Granby, CT, just over the MA/CT state line 
     
      6/27/10 Chinese Chestnut #1 in bloom on McCarthy Road, Granville, MA.  About 50 ft in ht. with no evidence of blight.  Damage from ice storm last year.  Small experimental controlled pollination done on 6/27/10. 
     
      6/27/10 Chinese Chestnut #2 in bloom on McCarthy Rd. Granville, MA  About 50ft + in ht with no evidence of blight 
    B.  At Charlotte's suggestion I have taken pure American pollen from the Granville ACF orchard to do a controlled pollination of a few Chinese Chestnut flowers on a Chinese Chestnut tree on McCarthy Rd. in Granville, MA.  Kendra had previously identified this tree as Chinese from a leaf sample I sent her 1-2 years ago.  Charlotte and I have thought it would be worth experimenting with developing a new line from Am. and Chinese Chestnuts in Western Mass.  Of particular interest to me is the tall, timber-like dimensions of the two Chinese Chestnuts in this yard on McCarthy Rd.  [See the pics below.]  My understanding is that ACF has used primarily or solely orchard-type Chinese for the breeding program.  Since we are working, among other goals, to breed back in the timber quality of the American, why not try developing a line using a Chinese Chestnut with timber-like dimensions.  I'd be interested in hearing Fred's and others thoughts on this.  I've seen no evidence of blight on the McCarthy Road Chinese Chestnuts to date.

John Meiklejohn











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