Make sure that each chestnut tree you plant has 40 feet (12.2 m) (12 m) of free soil space in all directions to allow for adequate growing room. If you want to rush large harvests of chestnuts, you can plant multiple chestnut trees at half that distance, roughly 20 feet (6 m) (6 m) apart, so that they start to crowd each other out and pollinate quicker. A single chestnut tree on its own will never produce any chestnuts. If you want the tree to produce nuts, there needs to be a second tree within 200 feet (60 m). Plant two different chestnut varieties to promote cross-pollination. Check around with your neighbors. If a next-door neighbor has a chestnut tree growing in their yard, that might be sufficient for yours. If staring from seed- place the seed nut in a plastic bag packed with damp sphagnum moss, peat moss, or sawdust. Seal the bag, then place it in your refrigerator for several months. Chestnut seeds are actually just normal, untreated chestnuts. Seed nuts need to undergo a period of chilling to germinate properly. Storing them in the refrigerator mimics the natural process while protecting them against the harsh freezes and animals found outdoors. For best results, place the chestnuts in a vegetable crisper to prevent them from accidentally freezing. The chestnuts should be stored in the refrigerator for several months, from harvest to planting. Once the weather has warmed, you can directly sow the chilled seed nuts outdoors. The best time to plant is early spring, usually around mid-March. You can sow the seed as soon as the soil is soft and warm enough to work in. Dig a hole roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. Place the chestnut seed in the hole and cover loosely with additional soil or planting mix. Since most chestnuts will have sprouted before you plant them, make sure that the sprout is face-down when you plant the nut. If the seed has not sprouted yet, place it in the soil with the flat side of the seed facing downward. After planting the seed outdoors, cover the area above it with a wire screen or basket. Doing so will protect the seed from most rodents. Make sure that the top of the wire cage extends above the ground 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm). This will give the seedling a chance to grow and establish itself before the screen has to be removed. Alternatively, plant them indoors early. Chestnuts usually begin to develop roots in early to mid February. If you want to give the tree a head start, you can plant the seed early indoors once these roots poke through. Poke a few drainage holes in the bottom of a half-gallon (2 L) cardboard milk carton. Cut the top off the carton, as well. Fill the carton with soil-free potting mix. The ideal growing medium should contain large quantities of organic fibrous material. Mixes that contain composted bark are especially good. After planting the seed, place the container in a sunny windowsill. Water the potting medium when it feels dry. A sturdy seedling should grow from the nut within two or three months. Note that seeds germinated indoors should be treated as seedlings and, as such, transplanted outdoors during the spring according to the guidelines marked in the “Starting from Seedlings” section. The hole should be deep enough so that the established roots can fit inside without being folded. The hole should be at least two times as large as the root ball of the seedling you want to plant. It is also recommended that you aerate the sides of the planting hole with a rake, garden fork, hand-held cultivator, or hand-held plow before placing the root ball inside. . Carefully remove the seedling from its container and find the old nutshell clinging to the roots. Use your fingers to gently twist or break it off without damaging the roots. Many animals will be attracted to the scent of the nutshell and may dig up you seedling trees looking for that shell. Removing the shell makes your tree less of a target. Center the root ball of the seedling inside the hole. Backfill the hole with garden soil orplanting mix until the tree is secure and no longer able to move around. Pack the soil inwith your hands and feet to further secure the tree. Water the soil well after you plant thetree. Water helps the soil settle and removes any air pockets that were otherwise trapped inside the packed growing medium. Protect seedlings from rodents by surrounding them with 1/4-inch (6-mm) hard-ward cloth. Sink the hardware cloth 2 to 4 inches (4 to 10 cm) into the ground. Keep at least 18 inches (46 cm) above the ground. If deer are a problem, this cylinder of hardware cloth may need to extend as high as 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m).