FAQ
Questions we get asked
If your question is not here, email andy@blackfordvalleyfarm.com. We answer everything, including the ones that talk us out of a sale.
Buying seedlings
What is the difference between seedling and grafted trees?
Seedlings grow from seed and vary genetically. Grafted trees join a chosen cultivar's top growth to a rootstock. The top retains the cultivar's identity, but neither method guarantees performance on every site.
Why do you favor seedling chestnuts?
We prefer their low price and healthy, vigorous root systems for many commercial nut and wildlife plantings. Site, genetics, stock quality and care matter. We do not claim that seedlings universally outyield, outlive or establish better than grafted trees.
Which chestnut types do you offer?
Chinese chestnut, American x Chinese chestnut, European x Japanese chestnut, Chinese/European/Japanese chestnut (50/25/25), and Chinese x chinkapin chestnut seedlings. These are seed-grown groups, not cloned cultivars or a guarantee of identical traits.
How big are the seedlings?
Expected height is 12-36 inches, varying by species and growing season. We recommend spring planting. Small grafted trees may be available; inquire about current options.
Are the apple and pear seedlings for eating fruit?
They are wildlife-only seedlings. Liberty and Freedom are apple seed-source types; Kieffer is the pear seed-source type. Seedlings are not grafted copies of those cultivars, and their fruit quality and disease response vary.
Ordering and pickup
When are reservations available?
Reservations are available in late November 2026 for spring planting. Send your plans, discuss the mix and site with us, and agree on a final tree list before arranging a deposit.
Does the reservation form take a payment?
No. It sends an inquiry, not a paid order. Online payments are currently disabled. A deposit is arranged only after we agree on the final tree list and confirm availability and the total.
Can I buy seedlings without installation?
Yes. Preorder or contact us by phone to arrange a seedling-only order. Prepayment will be available when payments are enabled. You do not need to book an installation.
Where can I pick up trees?
At the farm or by arrangement in Des Moines. Omaha handoffs are for large orders only. We do not ship trees.
What if I do not know which trees to choose?
Email your plans, county, available space and soil conditions, or send the reservation form. We can advise on a mix suited to your site before you commit to a tree list.
Planting and habitat
What do you check before a large planting?
Drainage, soil pH, soil depth, wind, the sun path and mature layout. We review available online soil information and perform in-person tests before large plantings. Soil maps do not replace checking the actual site.
Do chestnuts need pollination partners?
Plan for compatible nearby chestnuts for cross-pollination. Spacing and compatibility should be considered with the planting layout. One isolated tree is not a reliable nut-production plan.
When will seedlings produce food?
Bearing age, crop size and ripening time depend on species, individual genetics, weather and care. We do not guarantee a first crop date, annual yield or a fixed wildlife-food window.
Why include native trees and shrubs beyond deer food?
Oaks and other native plants support insects that feed birds and mammals and help support breeding habitat. American plum thickets add fruit, shelter and nesting cover. A mix can support a wider range of wildlife than a single food tree.
What care matters after planting?
Ongoing weed and tall grass control is crucial from the first weeks through the establishment years. Check soil moisture, maintain protection and keep mowing equipment and herbicides away from young trees. A tube does not replace care.
Is chestnut disease resistance guaranteed?
No. Chestnut blight and other disease risks vary by site and genetics. Chinese ancestry can contribute blight tolerance, but neither a group label nor survival at one site proves resistance or future performance.
Installation service
Can you install without protection?
We install with tubes only, unless a separately agreed larger protection plan is needed for the site. We do not offer bare-tree installations. Standard tubes are not adequate where large livestock can reach young trees.
What comes with an installation?
Delivery, appropriate planting, watering and supported tubes, plus a printed map with tree locations and types and cultivar names when applicable. You receive a care guide for moisture checks, protection maintenance and ongoing weed and tall grass control. Trees and materials are separate from labor.
Where do you install?
Central and western Iowa, between Des Moines and Omaha. Travel, access and job size are discussed before agreeing on a quote.
Do you guarantee survival or a centuries-long lifespan?
No. We only install where we expect trees can live their full natural lifespan, potentially centuries for some species. Many Iowa sites offer excellent hardwood conditions, but not every site does. This is our planning standard, not a survival or performance guarantee.
Ready when you are
Reservations are available in late November 2026. We recommend spring planting and will confirm availability and timing with you.