Dear editor:
While visiting Bowen recently, I read the Undercurrent article about a local group’s efforts to provide a mate for the heritage Spanish chestnut tree, Castanea sativa, growing in Davies Orchard.
As an arborist, I was excited to hear that locals were taking an interest in the welfare of this spectacular veteran tree. The article indicated that a young companion tree, Castanea sativa “Bouche de Betizak” had been selected and was being planted nearby to act as a pollinator for the 150-year-old veteran.
The intent being that the new tree would generate the requisite pollen required to fertilize many more of the otherwise unfertilized flowers, allowing the icon to reach its full potential of chestnut production.
Sadly, the hybrid chestnut Bouche de Betizac does not produce viable pollen and is considered sterile, rendering it useless as a pollinator for the Davies Orchard tree.
On the positive side, the existing tree should be able to pollinate the young hybrid tree which is a variety commonly grown commercially for its excellent nut production.
Islanders can take comfort in the fact that although they won’t appear on the tree they were expecting them on, Bowen can look forward to a legacy of ongoing nut production.
David Weir
Summerland, B.C.
