Chestnut Tree Seedlings for 2020

The weather extremes of 2018 – 2019 in southeast Iowa will be affecting Red Fern Farm into 2020 as we deal with the shortage of good quality chestnut seed nuts for our nursery. Our chestnut trees were damaged by weather events and for the most part did not set a crop in 2019. As a result, we were not able to gather seed nuts from many of our own named varieties or any of their crosses (Red Fern Super, Shotgun, QingSu, BadgerQing, Giant Badger I or II, Large Badger). We purchased seed from other sources. As a result we will have a limited number of seedlings available from known grafted mother trees. These seedlings will have a price mark up to reflect their limited numbers.

We will have a cheaper option that includes what was sold to us as a “bulk” seed. We know the bulk seed came from 3 types of grafted mother trees: Peach, Qing and Kohr.

Placing seed chestnuts in a sprouting tray for overwintering.

As we create our seed trays, we will create an estimate of how many trees we will have available of each variety and list them as available for ordering on our website. You can then order your trees. You have the option of paying in full with a credit card on the website (requires an additional 3% fee to cover the credit card fees) or mailing a check. The check option includes no extra fees. The check option allows you to pay down a 25% deposit on the order. The deposit will hold your trees at our nursery until August 31.

We will have no bare-rooted chestnut trees available for shipping Spring of 2020. – Kathy Dice

3 thoughts on “Chestnut Tree Seedlings for 2020”

  1. Kathy,
    FYI.
    We have 6+ acres that we are planning to plant approx. 400 chestnut trees next year.
    A windbreak was established this year along with non forage grasses. Ph level is within limits. We are in zone 5a & 5b.
    I attended the chestnut workshop earlier at the Iowa Arboretum.
    We would like to order from you and want to know the chances of you being able to meet our needs?
    Thanks.

    1. Mike,
      We plan to grow over 6,000 chestnut seedlings next year. We should be able to supply your 400 trees. For the best selection on variety strains, be sure to visit our website no later than the day after Thanksgiving. I plan to have all the ordering information up by then. If you want advice on what varieties would be best for you that we will be growing next year, give Tom an email at tom(at}redfernfarm.com – Kathy

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