Trees Available Spring of 2002

		Red Fern Farm
		*A Nursery of Trees and Ideas…*
Page Last Updated: January 02, 2012
	2012 Catalog

Trees Available 2012

We are taking deposits now

We offer high quality, container grown and bare-rooted seedlings. The parent trees of all our seedlings produce reliable, high quality crops here in Iowa, or at similar locations. Most of our trees are well adapted to zones 5 - 7. We have glowing reports of rapid, vigorous growth with our trees in such sunny places as central Oklahoma and Virginia. In most cases we have grown these trees from seed on our farm. They are not coddled, greenhouse plants. They are ready to be planted in your ground as soon as you receive them.

You may pick up your seedlings still in their containers at our farm. (Where is Red Fern Farm?) We will have bare-rooted chestnut seedlings for shipping in Spring of 2012.

Nut Trees

Chinese Chestnut (Castanea mollisima) Chines chestnut in bur on branch

Chinese chestnuts can be grown just about anywhere with well-drained, slightly acidic soil, from zone 4 through zone 9. Chestnuts are a very high demand, high value crop, both worldwide and in the US. Wholesale prices to growers in the Midwest range from $1.40 to $2.35 per pound; $5.50 per pound for Certified Organic. Well grown and maintained trees in Iowa can exceed 2,000 pounds per acre by 15 years of age.

They can be easily adapted to a system of production without chemicals, oil, or iron.

We have seedlings of the very best cultivars available. Although they are “open pollinated”, their most likely pollenizers are other good Chinese cultivars. This greatly increases the likelihood that the seedlings will be as good or even better than their parents. We fully expect that many new, superior cultivars will result form these seedlings. Below are brief descriptions of our parent trees:

Au Super - Produces the largest sized nut of any commercial quality Chinese cultivar (Extra Large). Cold hardy to at least -26°F. Nut quality is good. May occasionally overbear, producing a smaller sized nut.

Eaton River - May be a hybrid, but mostly Chinese. Nut size is large to extra large, quality is excellent. Flavor is superior.

Gideon – This cultivar originated at Empire Chestnut Co., Carrolton, Ohio. Produces a heavy crop of large to extra large nuts. In one study, this cultivar produced the highest percentage of commercial quality seedlings of any cultivar.

Luvall’s Monster – The original Luvall’s Monster parent tree is a mostly American hybrid, but with a massive nut. May be cold hardy to -50°F. It’s blight susceptible and pollen sterile. Though Luvall’s Monster is not recommended for commercial production, its seedlings , when pollenized by Chinese cultivars, should have good disease resistance and (hopefully) better pollen production. These seedlings are the best option for those wanting to grow chestnuts in zone 4 areas. They are also well worth trying throughout chestnut growing areas.

Mossbarger – Reportedly the most cold hardy Chinese cultivar (hardy to -40°F). Nut size, productivity, and quality similar to Peach and Gideon. A good companion to Luvall’s Monster seedlings in far north locations.

Peach – Another Empire Chestnut Co. cultivar, it produces moderate to good crops of large to extra large, high quality nuts. Unlike most other cultivars, this one has not shown any tendency to overbear and produce smaller sized nuts.

Qing – (pronounced “ching”) Currently the standard for comparison among Chinese chestnuts. Produces an extra large nut with a dark mahogany color, an unusually glossy luster, and exceptional flavor and keeping qualities. Cold hardy to at least -30°F.

Shotgun – This cultivar, developed at Red Fern Farm, is by far our most consistent heavy bearer of large to extra large nuts. Has survived -37°F, and shows no sign of injury at -30°F.

Red Fern Super – A possible new cultivar from Red Fern Farm. It needs more evaluation, but may produce nuts even larger than AuSuper. (only available in pots)

ID Preserved: These seedlings are labeled with the name of the seed parent. This is particularly important for people who want to graft the trees later, and for people who need certain trees for growing in zone 4.

Mixed Parentage – These seedlings are not labeled with the name of the seed parent, which could be any of the above lot.

Potted Chestnuts - Finished in 9 inch pots, these trees allow for quicker planting because they get by with a smaller planting hole. Can be planted spring, summer or fall.

Bare-rooted, Bed-grown Chestnuts - These trees have massive root systems and require a large hole. We have reports of many flowering one year after planting. They can be shipped, but only in April.

Bare-rooted, bed grown Chestnuts ( Available for spring of 2012)

Mixed Parentage ID Preserved

1 - 2 foot $6.00 for 1 – 9 1 – 2 foot $7.00 for 1 – 9

$4.50 for 10 – 99 $5.50 for 10 – 99

$4.00 for 100 or more $5.00 for 100 or more

2 - 3 foot $9.00 for 1 – 9 2 – 3 foot $10.00 for 1 – 9

$7.50 for 10 – 99 $ 8.50 for 10 – 99

$7.00 for 100 or more $ 8.00 for 100 or more

Roots of a bed grown, bare-rooted seedling chestnut.

Potted Chestnuts: (available summer and fall of 2012)

1 – 2 foot Mixed Parentage $7.00 for 1 – 9

$5.50 for 10 – 99

$5.00 for 100 or more

1 – 2 foot ID preserved $8.00 for 1 – 9

$6.50 for 10 – 99

$6.00 for 100 or more

1 – 2 foot Special Cross Seedlings ('Qing' X 'Auburn

Super', limited quantity, contact us before ordering )

$11.00 for 1 – 9

$8.50 for 10 – 99

$8.00 for 100 or more

Potted chestnuts ready for planting.

Hybrid Hazels ( Available summer - fall 2012)

(Send your deposit now! They go fast!)

The parents of our strain of hazels have produced massive quantities of high quality nuts. The branches have been bent to the ground by the weight of the nut crop. These young seedlings are decedents of the best selections of a strain of hybrid hazels developed in Minnesota. They will be ready for planting by early Summer. They will have a strong root system in nine inch deep pots for high survival and rapid growth..

8 - 12 inch tall shrubs in 9 inch pots

$4.50 each for 1 - 9

$4.00 each for 10 or more

Heartnut (Juglans ailantifolia)

Heartnut is a genetic mutation of the Japanese walnut. The mutation produces a flattened, Valentine-heart shaped nut which cracks and releases the kernel easily. The kernel is the sweetest and mildest-tasting of all the walnuts. Heartnuts tend to be precocious and heavy bearing, and preliminary indications suggest they may be resistant to Thousand Canker Disease.

Not all heartnut seedlings will grow into trees that produce heartnuts. Many will “revert back to wild type” and produce only the normal Japanese walnut, which is rounded, thick-shelled, difficult to crack, and commercially worthless. It may be necessary to plant several to get a single good one. Quantities are limited

Bare-rooted or Potted seedlings $6.00 each (available spring - fall)

Fruit Trees& Bushes

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) Potted The pawpaw or “prairie banana” has a 4 - 6 inch long fruit that resembles a green potato, but with a rich banana/mango - like flavor. Demand for fruit exceeds supply. It is hard to believe a fruit with such a wonderful tropical-fruit flavor can grow in Iowa. A possible future market for the fruit may include the pharmaceutical industry. A chemical found in unripe fruit has proven to be a powerful anti-carcinogen which can not be feasibly produced in the lab. When small these trees are very fragile and need T.L.C. (including mulch and tree shelter) to get established.
"Improved" Strain - seedlings of outstanding grafted varieties in one gallon pots, pollinized by other grafted trees. Likely to produce high quality fruit. Suited to zones 5 - 7.
6 - 12 inches tall seedlings in one gallon pots $8.00 each (available fall 2012)


American Persimmon (Diospiros virginiana) The American Persimmon is native to about the southeast 1/2 of the United States. They are hardy to about –30°F. The trees produce abundant crops of 1” - 2” diameter fruits, but only on female trees. Seedlings can not be sexed until they reach about 4’ to 5’ tall (about 3 to 4 years old). The fruits are among the sweetest in the world, and inspired the scientific name for the tree which means “food for the gods”. We have seedlings of superior grafted varieties including ‘Yates’, ‘Osage’, ’Prok’, and ‘SAA Pieper’. 6 - 8 inches tall in one gallon pots $6.00 each (available fall 2012)

Grafted Asian Pears

     Asian pears are usually shaped like apples, crunchy like apples, but with a wonderful pear flavor. They usually sell for $1.50 or more per fruit in grocery stores. Asian pears require cross pollination, so at least two varieties are needed for fruit. These varieties are high quality and productive. They're suited to zones 5 - 7.

Varieties: Nijiseiki and Hosui            Potted or bare-rooted $20 each      (spring 2012)

Nijiseiki, Hosui, Shinko, and Korean Giant        2 foot tall trees in one gallon pots $20 each (available summer to fall )

Grafted European Pears

      European Pears are usually harvested when ‘mature’, but unripe, then stored in refrigeration for a time before being brought out to ripen at room temperature. We will have two varieties available about September 1^st. A few other varieties may be available in limited quantities. Call or email for availability.

Seckel – Through its fruit size is small, this American heirloom is the sweetest and best flavored pear in the world, sometimes called the “sugar pear”. One of the heaviest and most regular bearing of pears. Has some resistance to fireblight.

  One gallon pots   $20 each (available fall 2012)

Williams bon Chretien (AKA “Bartlett”) This old heirloom from Great Britain is the most popular pear in the world. This is one of the few varieties that can set a good crop without a pollenizer. Susceptible to fireblight.

One gallon pots   $20 each (available fall 2012)

Aronia Berry Bushes (Aronia melanocarpa)

A shrub native to the eastern U.S, with size and growth form like a lilac bush. They are quick to bear very heavy crops of small, dark blue berries resembling blueberries (but not in flavor!). Aronia berries are extremely high in antioxidants - at least 3 times more than blueberries. These plants will thrive on just about any kind of site: wet or dry, high or low pH, sunny or partial shade. Except for browsing by rabbits and deer, they seem to be unbothered by pests or diseases.

Aronia berry production is a major industry in Europe, where yields reach 40,000 pounds per acre, and 100 pounds per bush. The industry is in its infancy in this country, and berry prices are at unsustainably high levels that can not last ($15 - $30 per pound!). This would be a very profitable crop even at $1 per pound, wholesale.

Even people with no intention to grow Aronia commercially should have a couple of bushes, if only for the powerful health benefits of the antioxidants in the berries. We have small one-year old seedlings and large transplants that can bear one year after planting.

Available as bare-rooted (spring only) or in pots

Small seedlings $5.00 each (available spring to fall)

Large transplants $10.00 each (available spring to fall)

Woodland Treasures

Green Dragon with dragon spandix under leaf.

Green Dragon (Arisaema dracontium)

Green dragon is a close relative of “jack-in-the-pulpit” but is far less common and far more interesting. The spadix (“jack”), instead of a little nub as in jack-in-the-pulpit, is very long, protruding 6” to 12” on mature plants. It likes rich, moist, well drained soil in partial shade, but will tolerate full shade and full sun. Our parent stock was taken from our timber here at Red Fern Farm and carefully propagated over the past ten years. We have 3 to 5 year old bulbs that will mature in 1 to 2 years, producing the “dragon’s head with flames.”

$5.00 each.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis)

Goldenseal is a very high-value woodland medicinal plant, valued for its antiseptic properties. Recent urban legends (absolutely untrue) attribute goldenseal with the ability to allow a user to pass a drug test that he otherwise would not pass. No doubt it is this mistaken notion which has led to the high demand and skyrocketing prices for the root of this plant. Goldenseal is very easy to grow, especially compared to other high value woodland medicinals like ginseng. Yields of 1000 to 2500 lbs. per acre of root after 3 to 5 years of growth have been reported. Disease and insect problems are negligible. Goldenseal prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil in full shade, much like ginseng, but goldenseal will tolerate much more sun. These plants have been propagated from cuttings taken from our native timber.

$2 per rootlet, or $100 per pound for undivided, mature roots. (fall only)

Ordering Information

Sorry, we can't take your order over the Internet. We can't take credit cards so you need to mail us a check or money order to secure your trees. Iowa is collecting sales tax on trees that produce food for personal consumption.

Sales Tax Note for Iowa residents: If these trees are being used for personal use only and you do not intend to ever sell their fruit or nuts, you must pay Iowa Sales tax if you are an Iowa resident. If you are picking up your trees at our farm or having our trees shipped to your home in Iowa, please add 7% sales tax to your order. If you plan to eventually sell all or part of your crops, you are exempt from Iowa sales tax and don't need to add it on.

Shipping or Pickup

Potted Trees are available April thru October for pickup from our nursery. We need a 25% deposit to reserve trees for you at our farm. Orders are filled on a first come, first serve basis. If we have your trees in stock, and the ground is not frozen, you may pick up your trees immediately. If we are sold out of the trees you want, you will have first call on the young seedlings coming into production When you arrive to collect your trees, the balance will be due. (Where is Red Fern Farm?)

Call to arrange a pickup time so we can be sure to assist you fully in loading the trees and answering any questions you may have.

Shipping for 2012

We can ship bare-rooted chestnuts, Aronia, heartnut and pears.

To place an order:
1. Print and fill out the following order form.
2. Mail completed form with payment to:

Red Fern Farm
13882 I Ave
Wapello, IA 52653
Click Here for our Order Form

Grafted Asian Pears
Asian pears are usually shaped like apples, crunchy like apples, but with a wonderful pear flavor. They usually sell for $1.50 or more per fruit in grocery stores. Asian pears require cross pollination, so at least two varieties are needed for fruit. These varieties are high quality and productive. They're suited to zones 5 - 7.
Varieties: Nijiseiki and Hosui Potted or bare-rooted $20 each (spring 2012)
Nijiseiki, Hosui, Shinko, and Korean Giant 2 foot tall trees in one gallon pots $20 each (available summer to fall )
Grafted European Pears European Pears are usually harvested when ‘mature’, but unripe, then stored in refrigeration for a time before being brought out to ripen at room temperature. We will have two varieties available about September 1^st. A few other varieties may be available in limited quantities. Call or email for availability.
Seckel – Through its fruit size is small, this American heirloom is the sweetest and best flavored pear in the world, sometimes called the “sugar pear”. One of the heaviest and most regular bearing of pears. Has some resistance to fireblight. One gallon pots $20 each (available fall 2012)
Williams bon Chretien (AKA “Bartlett”) This old heirloom from Great Britain is the most popular pear in the world. This is one of the few varieties that can set a good crop without a pollenizer. Susceptible to fireblight. One gallon pots $20 each (available fall 2012)