Sweet chestnut

[jigsaw 11,809]

Folks ,this is sweet chestnut? If yes,can they be gathered immediately or do you have to wait till the casing splits open??I've come across a lot of them where I walk ,and hope to pluck a few soon 

[forest of dean redneck 11,190]

I used to wait till I see whole ripe ones as nothing more irritating and wasteful pulling one open and finding it still white , used to cook them on the coal shovel  prick them apart from the last one when it pops you know rest are done

 

[jigsaw 11,809]

What time of the year did you gather them? And I take it their tasty? Thanks for the info fodr

[forest of dean redneck 11,190]

Well it was when fire was lit  and leaves coming off tree ? so think to early at the minute ? But then seasons are all over place now so it’s case of keeping eye on them I suppose

[leegreen 2,100]

Pick your tree, a lot of trees don't produce decent size Chestnuts. Or there may only be one nut is a husk that is any good. I know of a few trees near me that produce good nuts, but not every year.

Most of the Chestnuts for sale in the UK come from the Continent, they're a lot bigger.

[tatsblisters 7,950]

End of October i have found them to be ready though how the seasons seem to be changing could be later.

[forest of dean redneck 11,190]

4 hours ago, tatsblisters said:

End of October i have found them to be ready though how the seasons seem to be changing could be later.

Friend of mine was in the woods 2 weeks ago and filmed beech mast dropping so I thought some stuff was earlier blackberries as well ? Last couple of years I thought the natural harvest period was getting shorter ?  

[jigsaw 11,809]

We did ok yesterday,got 3/4 of a bucket full,would have gotten more but my youngest got bored and wanted to go home...he's 27 ffs,....it never leaves them

.

 

[tatsblisters 7,950]

1 hour ago, forest of dean redneck said:

Friend of mine was in the woods 2 weeks ago and filmed beech mast dropping so I thought some stuff was earlier blackberries as well ? Last couple of years I thought the natural harvest period was getting shorter ?  

I remember last year finding horse chestnut that were ready in the second week in September I also think the natural harvest period is getting shorter tbh.

[jigsaw 11,809]

One more question guys,if I picked a good few of the chestnut,can they be stored for future use ordo they have to be consumed immediately?if they can be frozen/stored,what method of doing so is best?

[forest of dean redneck 11,190]

I remember reading about pickled chestnuts ? 
people making stuffing out of chestnuts ?

and turning them into flour I think ? 

[jigsaw 11,809]

I went and checked on the chestnut tree yesterday and their popping open for the last few days ,but are they worth picking,their tiny flipping things,maybe I'm not clued in but I'd need a sack full to make it worthwhile....

[forest of dean redneck 11,190]

Try a different tree ? But no point roasting those no substance to them. 

[jigsaw 11,809]

I checked 2 other trees nearby,had a good look over them,all tiny nuts,defo not worth it

[tatsblisters 7,950]

Seen quite a few on the floor this morning which i think is a bit early stood still in  the wood it sounded as though it was spitting of rain with the amount of acorns and beech mast dropping totally different form last year when their was non of the mentioned two to be found.