Chestnuts In The Ozarks

06/15/2026

ChestnutsInTheOzarks.com

Most people think chestnuts fall into just three categories: American, Chinese, or hybrids.

The reality is far more interesting.

This seedling is from a cultivar called LIU, and its striking red new growth is a reminder of the incredible diversity that exists within the chestnut world.

Over the past century, researchers, breeders, and farmers have developed hundreds of chestnut varieties with different growth habits, nut characteristics, disease resistance, and even foliage colors. Many of the blight-resistant chestnuts grown today were developed right here in the United States by dedicated farmers and breeders working to improve the species for future generations.

Genetics matter. Whether you’re planting for wildlife, food production, conservation, or a family orchard. Plant the wrong chestnut and you may not know it for years. By the time inconsistent production, poor nut quality, or blight shows up, you’ve already invested a decade in the wrong direction.

Chestnuts are much more than American, Chinese, and hybrids. There is an entire world of chestnut genetics waiting to be discovered. The best tree hasn’t even been named yet!

06/11/2026

Wait for it!

🌰🦃 A reminder that our chestnut orchard is more than just trees.

While mowing through one of our newly planted chestnuts today, I came across something special. As I approached an area of native grasses and wildflowers that make up part of our pollinator habitat, a turkey hen suddenly stood her ground. A moment later, I understood why.

Hidden in the cover were several baby turkey poults. As the hen protected her young, the poults burst into the air and scattered to safety.

Moments like this are one of the reasons we work to create diverse habitat throughout the farm. Our chestnut trees provide food and future harvests, but the surrounding pollinator areas also offer valuable shelter for wildlife, from pollinators and songbirds to wild turkeys and countless other species.

It’s always rewarding to see these spaces being used exactly as intended.

Sometimes a routine day of mowing turns into a reminder that we’re not the only ones calling this orchard home. 🌱🦋🦃

06/03/2026

ChestnutsInTheOzarks.com

The chestnut trees are off to an amazing start. Some trees are past the 3 foot mark since which were started from seed in March.

It’s amazing to see how much growth these trees have put on in such a short amount of time. What started as small seedlings are quickly becoming strong, healthy young trees with excellent vigor and beautiful foliage.

With proper care, good genetics, and a little help from Mother Nature, these chestnut trees are off to an outstanding start.

We’re excited to watch them continue to grow throughout the summer and can’t wait to see where they’ll be by fall. The future of this nursery is looking bright!

Video of the Tree of the North I referenced in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xOGyLbEgDls

05/29/2026

https://www.newsweek.com/the-largest-us-groundwater-supply-is-running-out-11998061

Articles like this are a reminder that the future of American agriculture may look very different than it does today.

Much of our country’s food production depends on massive underground aquifers that are being drained faster than nature can replace them. Farmers across the U.S. are already facing drought, declining groundwater, and increasing pressure on water supplies.

One reason we believe so strongly in chestnuts is because they represent a different kind of agriculture, perennial food systems built for the long haul.

Unlike many annual crops that require constant tillage, planting, and heavy irrigation, chestnut trees have deeper roots than annual crops, help protect the soil, and once established can thrive with far less input. A chestnut orchard planted today can feed families and wildlife for generations.

We may not be able to control the weather or the water crisis, but we can choose to plant crops that work more with nature instead of against it.

That’s part of the vision behind our orchard. 🌰

New study shows America’s largest underground water source is depleting fast, raising risks for farming, food supply and price volatility.

05/26/2026

The chesnut orchard is finally coming alive in full bloom. 🌰

This section of the orchard marks the 4th year for our chestnut trees in the ground, and it’s incredible to see how far they’ve come. What once looked like nothing more than small twigs has now grown into resilient young trees loaded with blooms.

Seeing the orchard wake up each spring makes all the hard work worth it.

ChestnutsInTheOzarks.com

05/22/2026

There’s something mesmerizing about watching honeybees move through a chestnut orchard in late spring. Every bloom they visit is part of a much bigger story, thriving pollinators, and trees that can feed wildlife and people for generations. This is the kind of work we love sharing here at the farm. If you enjoy orchards, conservation, chestnuts, and life out in the country, follow along.






ChestnutsInTheOzarks.com

05/15/2026

Spent the end of the afternoon cruising the through the pollinator habitat, admiring the yellow coreopsis absolutely exploding with color. Days like this make all the hard work worth it. There’s something peaceful about seeing the land come alive and hearing the hum of pollinators as the sun starts to drop over the Ozarks. Grateful for this place and the chance to build something that gives back to nature and grow food for people.

ChestnutsInTheOzarks.com

05/09/2026

They’re not just for roasting on an open fire. Chestnuts, hardy enough for the rocky soil of the Ozarks, can be milled into flour, brewed into beer and used in place of wheat. Brad and Sandy Russell, owners of Chestnuts In The Ozarks in Omaha, are tapping into this market, supplying blight-resistant, nutrient-rich nuts to tables across the region.

05/08/2026

It’s finally here, our nursery transition is complete. After weeks of planting and building, all of our inventory has moved from the greenhouse into the new nursery, protected with insect netting to reduce leaf damage and improve tree quality from the start.

We’re offering around 15 different seedling varieties this season, including several that are already in limited supply. If you’re looking for native trees, we also have Ozark Chinquapins available an important and rare cousin to the American chestnut. Most of our seed stock is sourced directly from trees right here on our farm, ensuring strong local genetics and adaptability.

Now is one of the best times to visit. Over the next couple of weeks, the orchard will be in full bloom, making it an ideal window to see the trees, the system, and the operation in its peak condition.

Tours are available now through our website, spots are limited during bloom season, so scheduling ahead is recommended.

If you’re interested in trees, restoration planting, or adding natives to your land, reach out anytime. We’re happy to help you choose the right
varieties for your goals.

05/03/2026

There’s something special about a quiet Sunday morning in the Ozarks. This moment was captured right outside our front window here on the farm.

Not too many years ago, seeing a turkey out here was rare, and if they caught even a glimpse of us from a distance, they were gone in an instant. But after years of steady habitat work across the land, things are changing. The turkeys are making their way back.

It’s a rewarding feeling to watch them return and settle in. Little by little, they’ve grown comfortable, even lingering nearby like they belong here again. They’ve taken a liking to wandering through our chestnut orchard too!

Now we’re looking ahead with hope for a strong hatch of poults later this spring. Moments like this make all the effort worth it!!

Chestnuts 🌰 In The Ozarks

chestnutsintheozarks.com

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