Examinations of suitability of a range of native forest sites, and of planting methods, for restoration of American chestnut were initiated in May, 2005 within the Penn State Stone Valley Forest. Previous attempts in three central PA State Forests suggested that competing ground level competition and deer browsing were primary culprits to low success. For this new round of trials seven sites within a 5 mile radius were established in an effort to limit variations of climatic conditions, mostly precipitation. The sites varied among other factors by competing vegetative composition and density, overstory removal method, topography, and edaphic characteristics, but all included deer protection by woven wire exclusions. The trials consisted of five planting regimes including two direct seed and three containerized seedling methods factored with chemical control, or no control, of competing vegetation. Height measurements will be recorded yearly for six years and periodically thereafter until most trees succumb to the blight.

Visit other Penn State American chestnut related sites:
http://chestnut.cas.psu.edu/
http://www.arboretum.psu.edu/research/orchard.html

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