d no visible injury. These old
trees have rough bark, which may serve as an effective insulator against
extremes of temperature. In 1944, there was no damaging late spring
frost, and these old trees produced the largest nut crop in their
history.

Winter temperatures of -25 deg. F. or lower are usually injurious to
Oriental chestnuts. A few reports of chestnuts surviving temperatures of
-25 deg. F. have been recorded, but usually Oriental chestnuts do not thrive
in those northern States or regions where such temperatures occur.

Many of our cooperators report that late spring frosts frequently cause
failure of chestnut crops. Damaging frosts in late spring occur more
frequently and over greater areas than early fall frosts or extreme
winter temperature variations. A late spring frost in 1945 reduced the
chestnut crop at Glenn Dale, Md., from 50 bushels expected to 3 bushels
actual. A freeze of 24 deg.F. on the nights of April 4 and 5 was sufficient
to inflict this damage after two weeks of abnormally warm weather. Many
of the trees were visibly injured, with wilted or dried unfolding buds.
Other trees on higher ground were not visibly affected, yet they
produced no crops.

Again it was noted that the American chestnut, followed by American
chestnut hybrids, sustained none to little damage. The American
chestnut, besides its inherent resistance to freezing, leafs late in
the spring. Most of the crop of nuts obtained in 1945 was produced by
the American chestnut hybrids.

Late spring frosts in 1945 were very extensive, reaching throughout the
eastern and northeastern States, and there were practically no chestnut
crops. There were also numerous reports of late spring frost injury to
chestnut in the Central States.

In order to reduce freezing injury to Oriental chestnuts, it is
essential that they be grown on sites that have excellent cold air
drainage. As an approximate rule, these chestnuts should be planted on
sites similar to those that are best for peaches. The orchard planting
is not the only type that is subject to winter injury; forest plantings,
ornamental plantings, and plantings for wildlife are also subject to
winter injury especially if they are not on the most favorable sites.

Growing Chestnuts for Timber

By Jesse D. Diller Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Maryland

Before the turn of the century, and even before chestnut blight had
swept through our eastern forests, destroying one of o