< Select A Different Album Chestnut Trees in Oregon August 18, 2007 In Sherwood, Oregon, the largest recorded American chestnut tree grows along side Edy Road. Other, large American chestnut trees can be found in Oregon. Pioneers who knew the value of the chestnut tree brought nuts with them to plant. Some living chestnut trees may pre-date statehood. Others trees have been planted recently by a new generation continuing the interest in and appreciation for the American chestnut. (Click on any photo to enlarge it.) Two large American chestnut trees, until recently cared for by Francis and June Boone, grow in Sherwood, Oregon, on land now maintained by Hawks View Vineyards. The trees were planted in the 1880s. The trunk of the larger American chestnut tree is approximately 6 feet in diameter; the smaller, approximately 4 feet in diameter. Seen in the photo is Doug Gillis, Board Member, The Carolinas Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation. With two trees side by side so one can pollinate the other, the American chestnuts in Sherwood are full of burs that will break open in the fall, spilling sweet nuts onto the ground below. A large chestnut tree in Latourelle, OR, in the Guy Talbot State Park, appears to be an American chestnut. A sample of leaves, stems and burs are being analyzed to determine if the tree is a true American chestnut. The large chestnut tree growing in Latourelle is pollinated by other nearby chestnut trees. The Hoyt Arboretum in southwest Portland has a grove of 7 chestnut trees, the American chestnut tree pictured, 2 Spanish Chestnut trees and 4 Chinese chestnut trees. The American chestnut is 15 inches in diameter. The grove is located a short distance from the Hoyt Arboretum Welcome Center. Though Hoyt Arboretum's records claim only the seven chestnut trees growing in a grove, there are others if one looks carefully. On the walk from the Welcome Center to the grove is a Park Bench dedicated to the memory of Gregory L. Noel. A number of small chestnut trees have sprouted at the right side end of the bench. The one pictured appears to have American chestnut characteristics but likely is a hybrid. Why are several small chestnut trees growing a considerable distance uphill from the grove? Perhaps a visitor collected nuts from the grove, sat on the bench to examine them, and when finished looking at them, tossed them aside. By chance, after a wrong turn down a residential street, Carolinas Chapter Board Member Doug Gillis came upon the American chestnut tree pictured. The man who cultivated the tree from a cutting planted it in his yard some 20 years ago because of his interest in and fascination with the American chestnut tree. His and his wife's children check the tree each fall for viable nuts. At nearby Gabriel Park there is a chestnut tree, apparently European, growing adjacent to a public garden area. Maybe by chance insects or other pollinators bring chestnut pollen to this tree to produce viable nuts. < Select A Different Album < Home