Chestnut Tree Pests and Diseases
What pests, diseases, and cultural practices should I know about?
Chestnut blight and Phytophthora root rot are the two major diseases of chestnut trees. In eastern North America, where chestnut blight occurs, it is best to plant blight resistant Chinese chestnuts. It's important to realize, though, that Chinese chestnut trees vary considerably in blight resistance. Some individuals are quite susceptible while others are essentially immune to the disease. Phytophthora root rot is mainly a problem on wet soils. There is genetic variation in susceptibility to phytophthora, but the best control method is to plant trees on well drained sites. There aren't any good fungicide treatments for either of these diseases.
There are many insects and mites which feed on chestnut leaves. Usually, the infestation levels are low enough that they don't cause any economic damage, and control is not necessary. However, insects, such as caterpillars and Japanese beetles occasionally become serious enough that control is warranted. The chestnut gall wasp, which was recently introduced into the southeastern U.S., is a serious insect pest that affects shoot growth. Control recommendations are not yet developed. Shot-hole borers, which attack large stems (esp. graft unions), have caused serious problems in the South and Pacific Northwest. In eastern North America, the chestnut weevil is probably the most serious economic pest of chestnuts. The larvae feed on chestnut kernels resulting in "wormy nuts." Chestnut weevils are fairly easy to control with prompt harvesting of the crop or with spraying (Sevin). In spite of these and other insect pests, many growers produce quality chestnuts without application of insecticides.
On good sites, chestnut trees will survive and grow with little or no care. However, from an economic standpoint, some cultural inputs are justified in terms of increased yields, increased nut size, earlier yields, and consistent yields. Maintaining adequate soil fertility is probably the most important cultural input (fertilize them as if they were peach trees). Other important inputs are weed control around young trees, mowing the orchard twice or more per season, and mulching the trees. Irrigation is probably justified. Chestnut trees require much less pruning and training than other fruit trees. Pruning is done mainly after bearing begins and consists of removing lower branches to allow harvesting.
Just contact us at empirechestnut@gotsky.com if you have any questions about chestnut trees or about your order for chestnuts, chestnut trees or chestnut seed.
Click here for advice on harvesting chestnuts.
Contact Greg Miller at empirechestnut@gotsky.com for questions relating to chestnut trees, chestnut seed and dried or fresh chestnuts.
Empire Chestnut Company
3276 Empire Road SW
Carrollton, OH 44615-9515
Email: empirechestnut@gotsky.com
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