Chestnut grove sapling care

[cedarhollow]

I recently got 500 chestnut saplings from a state forestry nursery and converted a hay field into what we are hoping will be a nut grove/wildlife draw.
We got 400 of them in the ground in 10 foot rows 10 feet apart before the leaves started popping out and put 100 in a mother bed till winter rolls around.
we dug holes with shovels and watered them in one at a time.
we plan on staking each one to aid in mowing around them without cutting any down.
Any suggestions on care would be appreciated

 

[Jason Douglas]

Soil test for sure. This will enable you to put together a proper fertility program.

Keep them mulched and as weed free as possible until established.

Research the common pests and diseases of the genus.

 

[cedarhollow]

Thanks, I never even thought about mulch, I'm going to have local extension agent do soil test and as far as keeping weeds from choking the out should I think mechanical or chemical. maybe stihl's bedding attachment for the km130?

 

[Tyler Davis]

Figure out a way to protect them from deer and voles. Tree tubes, hardware cloth, etc.

 

[cedarhollow]

Thanks for the great ideas. I have a couple rolls of hardware cloth and chicken wire, guess I'll get work making tubes.

 

[DFK]

Are these Chestnut trees a "Native" variety??

David

 

[cedarhollow]

They came from the W. VA state forestry nursery which were grown from seed from UT program from what I have read. I believe the UT program crossbred different varieties to get what is currently being planted.