American Chestnut Trees in Des Pres Park!

Politico Magazine was there to document the Louisville Restoration Branch's planting efforts.  You can see their photo report at: Louisville Grows Trees

 Although the rains never let up all Friday night (about 1.5" overnight, ~4" total for the first week of December), we went ahead with plans for the planting at Des Pres Park off of Lowe Road in Louisville.  I arrived early to start hauling planting materials and tools to the site.  What I found was standing water in two of the planting spots and the soil being completely saturated in the other spot.  Not very good conditions for growing chestnut trees!

 The planting and roasting crew, minus one who had to leave early.

After everything was set up, some visiting went on and the nut roasting started, planting activities moved forward.  The first hole was dug and immediately filled with water/mud!  Terrible!  That was going to be the end of the planting, except that the Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation representative on site was agreeable to move the planting spots to slightly higher ground!  Perfect!  So the other two trees got planted without having wet feet!  The initial tree in the mud was moved a day or two later to get it onto higher ground.

Newly planted American chestnut trees in Des Pres Park, Louisville, KY.

 

Nine volunteers showed up to assist with the planting!  With everyone keeping busy, it took no time to get the work done and move onto eating some roasted chestnuts!  The activities also drew 10 additional people who had either heard about it, were brought there by friends or who just happened along and stopped to see what was going on.  These folks were treated to some roasted chestnuts, were provided information on The American Chestnut Foundation and were told about the potentially blight resistant trees we were planting.  They will be able to watch these trees grow as they drive past the park or use it for recreational activities.

 

The planting was done along a walking/running trail which receives a lot of use.  Come spring, it is hoped that interpretive signage can be added to inform visitors about the American chestnut tree.  Hopefully, TACF and Metro Parks can partner with a Louisville based company or other organization to fund this signage.

 

A view of the planted seedlings along the walking/running trail.

 

Be sure to let Metro Parks know how glad you are to see American chestnut trees being planted within the parks!