| TACF Regional Science Coordinator
recently visited a site at Berry College in Rome, Ga to assess the
possibility of using it for the Georgia Chapter's planting of the
nuts from its first harvest.
Chapter member, Dr Martin Cipollini, Associate
Profession of Biology at the College has worked with the Berry
College Administration and TACF Coordinators to make this orchard a
reality.
Nuts from the 2005 harvest will be planted and
cared for at the College's outdoor ambient green house by students
until they can be planted in the fall. In the meantime, the
planting site will be cleared of existing growth, fenced from the
abundant deer population and prepared for the fall planting. A
near-by stream gives easy access to water. Signage will also be
placed at the site for educational purposes since the area is
frequented by students and visitors alike.
|
(front l-r) Carolyn Hill, Jerry Smith, Dianne Smith,
Mary Belle Price, Paul Sisco(back) Martin
Cipollini, Tom Pachinger, Phil Broome (Berry Forester), Jim Hill,
John Lull |
|
Protective tubes mark the rows of 12-24" tall chestnut trees |
In the early spring of 2005, Wayne
Stevens and John Harrell of GA Power Land Department coordinated the
planting of 130 B2F2 seed sent to him by TACF's Fred Hebard.
All but 2 of the nuts emerged. Over the summer about 30 more
succumbed to
Phytophthora.
Paul Sisco and Georgia Chapter members also visited
this successful orchard in Bartow County.
Paul Sisco shows how to spot Phytophthora on the root |
|
(l-r) Jim Hill, Paul Sisco, Jerry Smith, John Harrell,
Wayne Stephens, David Keehn, Tom Pachinger, Carolyn Hill |
