 Chestnut Bugs and Blights
American Chestnut Trees are virtually extinct due to Blight. This
previously very popular wood is found in buildings and furniture, but
not in woodlots. There was no chemical defense against Endothia parasitica,
which wiped out the species. We still have Twig Canker which causes
brown discoloration on twigs. The only defense is removing affected
twigs and branches. Most other diseases are minor, and will not require
chemical intervention.
Chestnut Weevils lay their eggs in the ripening nuts.
When the nuts fall to the ground the eggs hatch, and the larvae eat
their way out of the nuts and burrow into the ground. Sevin is used to
control adult Weevils. Chickens fenced under Chestnut Trees will eat
the emerging larvae, which will diminish the population over time.
Cooking picked nuts in 120 F. water for a half hour will kill most eggs and larvae.
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