The Chestnut Handbook

From Mediterranean Europe to Chile and from China to Australia, chestnut cultivation surface has greatly increased globally over the last several decades. The crop provides solid revenue to growers, is resilient to climate change and the fruits are a calorie-dense, carbohydrate-rich nut, the production of which improves soil and sequesters carbon. However, there is a great lack and a great need for technical information on management of old and new chestnut plantations. The Chestnut Handbook shares achievements in chestnut development and cultivation including information on sustainable planning and management of chestnut production from nursery to plantation, entomology, pathology, and ecosystem services. Cultivation techniques of Chinese, Japanese, and European chestnut species including hybrids are described containing information on over 550 local and commercial cultivars. Beautiful original handmade drawings and technical sheets facilitate accessibility and comprehension of information. FEATURES: • Offers practical, easy-to-follow, technical solutions for chestnut farming and forestry, provides ideas for present and future plantations and management • Contains more than 300 figures published in full color featuring original handmade drawings • Provides information about cultural practices, nursery techniques and ecosystem services • Includes a reference list of over 550 local and commercial cultivars of Chinese, Japanese, and European chestnut species and their hybrids • Presents important information on both major and minor pests and diseases as well as pest diseases and physiological disorders. With the collaboration of more than 30 researchers from internationally renowned institutes, professionals and nurserymen this book serves as a technical reference and valuable resource for agronomists, forest experts, farmers, researchers and students of agricultural and forestry sciences.

It is easy to grow hazelnut and chestnut trees almost anywhere in the eastern half of North America, once you know how. This Handbook has the newest information all in one location you will not find anywhere else. Hazelnuts and chestnuts are amazing to utilize from your yard to a large commercial orchard. Yet, most people don't know they are native to your location. Our native trees have been hybridized for taste, size, hardiness and disease resistance. This book is an easy reading practical approach on how to grow hazelnuts and chestnuts. We explain throughout the book what worked for us and what didn't work, so you don't make similar wasted efforts.Our handbook gives you confidence by:1.Step by step order of items and knowledge you need to get your trees off to a good start. 2.Schedule of when to check on your trees to keep them happy and growing strong. 3.How to avoid problems and what to look for before issues can damage your trees. 4.Where to procure the best items and trees for the least cost. 5.We explain the "nuts and bolts" without insulting you or going into scientific jargon that puts you to sleep. This book was born to answer all of the questions we received in almost 30 years of growing and breeding nut trees from our hilltop orchards, that includes New York's first commercial hazelnut orchard, in the Finger Lakes of New York, we call Z's Nutty Ridge.Hazelnut and Chestnut orchards are an ideal crop for abandoned low cost fields, eliminating social and economic barriers to farming. Generating a rebirth of new family farm based businesses, while benefiting our health, and the environment in a sustainable, synergistic manner.

From Mediterranean Europe to Chile and from China to Australia, chestnut cultivation surface has greatly increased globally over the last several decades. The crop provides solid revenue to growers, is resilient to climate change and the fruits are a calorie-dense, carbohydrate-rich nut, the production of which improves soil and sequesters carbon. However, there is a great lack and a great need for technical information on management of old and new chestnut plantations. The Chestnut Handbook shares achievements in chestnut development and cultivation including information on sustainable planning and management of chestnut production from nursery to plantation, entomology, pathology, and ecosystem services. Cultivation techniques of Chinese, Japanese, and European chestnut species including hybrids are described containing information on over 550 local and commercial cultivars. Beautiful original handmade drawings and technical sheets facilitate accessibility and comprehension of information. FEATURES: - Offers practical, easy-to-follow, technical solutions for chestnut farming and forestry, provides ideas for present and future plantations and management - Contains more than 300 figures published in full color featuring original handmade drawings - Provides information about cultural practices, nursery techniques and ecosystem services - Includes a reference list of over 550 local and commercial cultivars of Chinese, Japanese, and European chestnut species and their hybrids - Presents important information on both major and minor pests and diseases as well as pest diseases and physiological disorders. With the collaboration of more than 30 researchers from internationally renowned institutes, professionals and nurserymen this book serves as a technical reference and valuable resource for agronomists, forest experts, farmers, researchers and students of agricultural and forestry sciences.

"In prose as strong and quietly beautiful as the American chestnut itself, Susan Freinkel profiles the silent catastrophe of a near-extinction and the impassioned struggle to bring a species back from the brink. Freinkel is a rare hybrid: equally fluid and in command as a science writer and a chronicler of historical events, and graced with the poise and skill to seamlessly graft these talents together. A perfect book."—Mary Roach, author of Stiff and Spook "A spellbinding, heart wrenching, and uplifting account of the American chestnut that asks the vastly important question: Have we learned enough, and do we care enough, to begin healing some of the wounds we've inflicted on the natural world?"—Scott Weidensaul, author of Return to Wild America and Mountains of the Heart "This is a beautifully written account of the passing of one of the botanical wonders of the North American landscape, the American chestnut tree, which was nearly extirpated by a plague that entered the ecosystem and swept these great trees away. Freinkel, a gifted writer whose research is impeccable and whose reporting is topnotch, tells of the impassioned work of scientists over the past century and up to today, trying to bring the American chestnut back from the brink of extinction. Only a person in love with trees could have written this lovely book."—Richard Preston, author of The Hot Zone and The Wild Trees "Graceful, provocative, and inspiring. Thoreau would be proud."—Alan Burdick, author of Out of Eden, a 2005 National Book Award finalist "In this beautifully written volume, Susan Freinkel ably describes the marriage of science and passion that is being brought to bear to save this majestic American tree from extinction. The people whose ancestors lived among chestnut trees and their places come alive for the reader, as does the appearance and spread of the blight and the heroes who are struggling with it today. The book concludes with a tantalizing vision of chestnuts in the forests again—a thought of making the world right where it has gone wrong."—Peter H. Raven, Director of the Missouri Botanical Garden

Before 1910 the American chestnut was one of the most common trees in the eastern United States. Although historical evidence suggests the natural distribution of the American chestnut extended across more than four hundred thousand square miles of territory—an area stretching from eastern Maine to southeast Louisiana—stands of the trees could also be found in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, Washington State, and Oregon. An important natural resource, chestnut wood was preferred for woodworking, fencing, and building construction, as it was rot resistant and straight grained. The hearty and delicious nuts also fed wildlife, people, and livestock. Ironically, the tree that most piqued the emotions of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Americans has virtually disappeared from the eastern United States. After a blight fungus was introduced into the United States during the late nineteenth century, the American chestnut became functionally extinct. Although the virtual eradication of the species caused one of the greatest ecological catastrophes since the last ice age, considerable folklore about the American chestnut remains. Some of the tree’s history dates to the very founding of our country, making the story of the American chestnut an integral part of American cultural and environmental history. The American Chestnut tells the story of the American chestnut from Native American prehistory through the Civil War and the Great Depression. Davis documents the tree’s impact on nineteenth-and early twentieth-century American life, including the decorative and culinary arts. While he pays much attention to the importation of chestnut blight and the tree’s decline as a dominant species, the author also evaluates efforts to restore the American chestnut to its former place in the eastern deciduous forest, including modern attempts to genetically modify the species.

The Book About Tony Chestnut The much-loved children's song, Tony Chestnut, comes to life in, The Book About Tony Chestnut, an interactive, whimsically illustrated children's picture book with accompanying CD. Tony Chestnut is joined in this story, by a stellar children's cast of characters including Eileen, Neil, Pat, Bob, Russell and Skip, who are all from the hit song. Join the kids on an encouraging childhood adventure in friendship and quest towards playground unity -- laugh along with the hysterical antics of Tony Chestnut as he anxiously tries to resolve his little sister's true-to-life, social dilemma. The story's compassionate message of friendship, kindness and sympathy speaks to children in a language they can understand, and conveys just the right blend of entertaining, gentle humor with a meaningful, true-to-heart message.The 48 page picture book is packaged with a CD featuring a soundtrack, and reading by the enchanting British storyteller, Jeanne Bowyer. Listeners are also treated to a second sharing of the story by Tony Chestnut himself, as he makes his debut, storytelling appearance. As an added bonus, included on the CD are thought-provoking questions for interactive discussion and the much-loved song, Tony Chestnut, which has sparked the making of this book. Preview The Book About Tony Chestnut here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jOf5jOMYcE

It is easy to grow hazelnut and chestnut trees almost anywhere in the eastern half of North America, once you know how. This Handbook has the newest information all in one location you will not find anywhere else. Hazelnuts and chestnuts are amazing to utilize from your yard to a large commercial orchard. Yet, most people don't know they are native to your location. Our native trees have been hybridized for taste, size, hardiness and disease resistance. This book is an easy reading practical approach on how to grow hazelnuts and chestnuts. We explain throughout the book what worked for us and what didn't work, so you don't make similar wasted efforts.Our handbook gives you confidence by: 1. Step by step order of items and knowledge you need to get your trees off to a good start. 2.Schedule of when to check on your trees to keep them happy and growing strong. 3.How to avoid problems and what to look for before issues can damage your trees. 4.Where to procure the best items and trees for the least cost. 5.We explain the "nuts and bolts" without insulting you or going into scientific jargon that puts you to sleep. This book was born to answer all of the questions we received in almost 30 years of growing and breeding nut trees from our hilltop orchards, that includes New York's first commercial hazelnut orchard, in the Finger Lakes of New York, we call Z's Nutty Ridge.Hazelnut and Chestnut orchards are an ideal crop for abandoned low cost fields, eliminating social and economic barriers to farming. Generating a rebirth of new family farm based businesses, while benefiting our health, and the environment in a sustainable, synergistic manner.

Chestnut Management and Production shares achievements in chestnut development and cultivation including information on sustainable planning and management of chestnut production from nursery to plantation, entomology, pathology, and ecosystem services. Cultivation techniques of Chinese, Japanese, and European chestnut species including hybrids are described containing information on over 550 local and commercial cultivars. Beautiful original handmade drawings and technical sheets facilitate accessibility and comprehension of information.