The state tree nursery in Mason County, WV has two chestnut orchards. The older orchard was planted in the mid-1970s from nuts from large, surviving American chestnuts in the mid-Atlantic region. Nuts from the 1970’s orchard were used to initiate a second orchard in the 1990s. Seeds from the orchards are collected, stratified and grown for sale to the general public. While the state tree nursery sells all types of trees (oak, maple, sycamore, redbud…) they always sell out of chestnuts very quickly. Members and friends of the WV chapter gathered in mid-June in an attempt to improve the younger orchard. Nine individuals, wielding chain saws, loppers and hand saws, made significant progress over a 5-hour period cutting out dead chestnut stems, removing invading Sumac, multiflora rose and Hawthorn trees. Piles of debris were scattered all over the orchard and everyone went home tired but feeling a sense of accomplishment. Those assisting were: Dee and Jeanne Quinn (Raleigh County), Martha Snyder (Jackson County), Robert Sypolt and Darrell Dean (Preston County) and Mark and Mindy Double, Amy Metheny and William MacDonald (Monongalia County).
The nursery superintendent, Jason Huffman, can always use help in the fall collecting chestnuts when they fall. Jason’s contact information is: vog.vw@namffuH.L.nosaJ if you want to help harvest nuts.
Amy Metheny, Martha Snyder, Jason Huffman (nursery superintendent), Mindy Double and William MacDonald pose for a picture in the orchard.
The group takes a lunch break under a Japanese larch. Seated (l to r): Dee Quinn, William MacDonald, Amy Metheny, Martha Snyder, Mindy Double and Jeanne Quinn. Standing are Robert Sypolt and Darrell Dean.
Jeanne and Dee Quinn cut out dead stems from the orchard.
A picture of the orchard prior to removing dead stems and invading species.
The tree nursery sign on Route 62 along the Ohio River.
One of many piles of debris.
