Chestnut trees were once one of the most important trees in the eastern half of the United States. The lumber from the trees was used to make furniture, and the nuts were a staple food during the cold winter months. In 1904, an Asian fungus was introduced to the country that destroyed nearly 9 million acres of forest. Through crossbreeding, we now have a chestnut tree that is much more resistant to fungus. You can help bring the chestnut tree population back by planting your own seeds.
Instructions
1. Dig a hole 2 feet deep in the spot you intend to plant the chestnut. Put all of the soil you dig up into a pile. Make sure the hole is at least as wide as a milk jug.
2. Take half of the soil from the pile and make a new pile with it. Mix in an equal amount of peat moss with the new pile of soil. Blend them together.
3. Fill in the hole with the peat moss mixture. Place a stake about an inch deep to mark the center of the hole. Let the soil settle for one week.
4. Cut the bottom and top off a milk jug with a box cutter. You should be left with a cylinder shape about 5 inches tall. Push the cylinder into the planting site about 2 inches deep. This will help support and protect the tree in its young stage.
5. Bury the chestnut an inch deep so it is in the center of the milk jug. Cover the seed with soil and water it if the soil is dry.
Tags: about inches, chestnut tree, inch deep, peat moss