Chestnuts Making a Comeback-- Part 2

Illinois' climate is just right for chestnut trees.  The exact number of growers varies depending upon the source. 

Dale Black, 65, worked for Stark brothers Nursery in Louisiana, Missouri as a boy and trees and plants are in his blood.  They chose to grow chestnuts because they are rare.

Their biggest threat, besides a drought like last summer, are white-tailed deer who stomp on the sharp chestnut burs with their hooves to open them.  They love the nuts, the leaves and the bark of the tree.

Those burs, pods, are so prickly that they can't be handled without gloves.  Usually there are three nuts inside a bur.

It is estimated that 85% of Americans have never tasted a chestnut (count me among those).

Just the Facts Next.  ----  DaCoot