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[Jwlehman@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/3/2010 10:11:41 PM Eastern Standard Time, mijwiz@yahoo.com writes:

> As far as I know, there is only one chestnut tree in this neighborhood. It had impressive bristly hulls, which it dropped in fall. They had stunted little chestnut shells in them, with no nuts.
>
> Is this the sign of a lonely tree with nothing to pollinate it? If I were to attempt to play matchmaker and try to fit one chestnut tree into my yard, how close does it have to be to the neighbor's tree to get pollination? Do I have to worry about bloom times or other compatibility issues when choosing a variety?
>
> I'm thinking along these lines because I like chestnuts, but don't think I have room for two trees in my own yard, not because I'm really feeling for the lonely tree.
>
> Meliss
a

Hello Melissa,

When chestnuts are pollinated you get exactly what you have, a hollow burr with two tiny undeveloped chestnuts.  You do need a pollinator.  Just about any other chestnut seedling should work.  As chestnuts are air and insect pollinated they should be reasonably close.  Although a few years back I had one tree to bear nuts and to my knowledge the nearest tree was about 1000 feet southwest of mine on a neighbor's property. I don't know for sure but I believe there is little difference in boom times from one tree to another.  

Jerry