How New Chestnut Cultivars Are Developed
September 10, 2023
In this episode of Branching Out: Growing Together, Dr. Ron Revord of the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry shares how new chestnut cultivars are developed—and why it matters.
From greenhouse work to pollination season, chestnut breeding is a careful blend of science and purpose. Dr. Revord walks us through his annual cycle as Lead Breeder of Tree Nuts, explaining how precision selection, hybridization, and performance trials lead to stronger, more adaptable trees.
🎧 Topics include:
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Seedlings vs. grafted trees
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Climate-resilient breeding
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Why diversity in chestnut cultivars is critical
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What new growers need to know
“There’s no one-size-fits-all,” says Dr. Revord. “Each cultivar should bring something new to the table.”
🌰 Explore resources at unitedchestnuts.com/resources
Let’s grow the future—one chestnut cultivar at a time.
Ten UMCA® PQK Chestnut Seedlings 36″–48″ Bare Root (Air Pruned)
