This spring we have been busy performing controlled crosses of wild American chestnuts that were found the previous year. The trees had produced sterile nuts in the fall since there was not another American chestnut nearby to pollinate the female flowers. Thanks to Eversource and UI utility companies and Lewis and Distinctive Tree Services, we were able to reach the female flowers an pollinate them. Hopefully we will be able to harvest plenty of American chestnut seeds to plant in our first Germplasm Conservation Orchards (GCOs) next spring.
Lewis Tree Service arborist pollinating American chestnut tree female flowers
