Spring time at Ruefleur
Sunshine bursts through the greyness of a long cold winter
in the mountains and nature begins her sojourn into Spring. Bare
chestnut trees, surrounded by acres of golden daffodils, wait to
begin another wonderful season. We wait in anticipation to see what
this year heralds.
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Forming chestnuts
The small burrs continue to form, nourished by rich mountain
soil, sunshine & rain
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View of the Ruefleur orchard
We are open by appointment to u-pick or buy at our
orchard gate during April and May
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The Beginning..
In December catkins form on the trees to be pollinated by
insects & the wind. Male (staminate) catkins form on the lower parts
of the shoot and the female (pistillate) flowers are found toward
the tip of the shoot. The pollinated flowers eventually fall and
the chestnuts slowly form. Each burr usually bears three flowers
and may yield three nuts.
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Ready at last
Ripe chestnuts ready to fall on the ground from their
prickly burr
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Another view of the orchard..
100 chestnut trees in all
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Burr Formation
Pollination (i.e. burr formation) is affected by a number
of factors. Weather is critical. If it's too damp the catkin grains
may clump together, become heavy and not travel as far as they might
otherwise.
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The finished product
Mother Nature at her best! Glossy, fresh chestnuts ready to
prepare & cook or to eat raw as a taste treat.
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Enjoy!
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