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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I arrange a tour of HARC?
Contact the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center in New Franklin, Missouri to discuss your visit to the farm.

Call 660-848-2268 and speak with either Nancy Bishop (bishopn@missouri.edu) or Ray Glendening, Farm Manager (Glendeninger@missouri.edu)

You can learn more about HARC by visiting their website: http://aes.missouri.edu/harc/

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I would like to know if agroforestry is right for my farm. How do I go about finding out?
The Center for Agroforestry has a new agroforestry Training Manual. Section 2 of the manual introduces "Planning for Agroforestry," and Appendix 5 of the manual has a detailed planning workbook. These sections, combined with other sections of the training manual, will help you to determine if agroforestry is right for your farm.

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Can you help me get started practicing agroforestry on a woody area on my farm?
Yes, that's what we're here for. You have come to the right place to get started.

Contact Dusty Walter, UMCA Technology Transfer Specialist/Research Specialist, at walterw@missouri.edu or 573-884-7991.

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Can I buy seedlings or cultivars at HARC?
HARC, the University of Missouri Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center, is charged with both basic and applied research along with technology transfer based on the findings that are developed from our research.

However, as a general rule HARC does not sell any products in the commercial marketplace (including seedlings or cultivars) that are otherwise available through private vendors.

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Where can I buy seedlings or cultivars of the species recommended in agroforestry practices?
Native plants (flowers, grasses, shrubs, trees)
 Grow Native - excellent information and buyers guide
Seedling Trees:
 MDC State Nursery
 Forrest Keeling Nursery
Woody Florals:
 For rootstock suppliers and growing information, visit the University of Nebraska Extension Forestry Program
Chestnut Trees:
  Container-grown stock can be planted in early October or in late March. Starting a chestnut planting with seedlings offers the advantages of low initial costs and the opportunity to establish cultivars not readily available from commercial nurseries. Disadvantages of establishing a chestnut orchard with seedlings include delaying the onset of profits from nut production and adding the expense of grafting your own trees. For additional chestnut production information, see the Growing Chinese Chestnuts in Missouri guide on the Publications and Informational Materials page.

Retail chestnut seedling and cultivar suppliers:
Empire Chestnut Company
3276 Empire Rd SW
Carrollton, OH 44615
330-627-3181
http://www.empirechestnut.com/aboutus.htm

England's Orchard & Nursery
316 SR 2004
McKee, KY 40447
606-965-2228
http://www.nuttrees.net

Nash Nursery
4975 Grand River Rd
Owosso, MI 48867
517-651-5278
E-mail: nashfarm@shianet.org

Nolin River Nut Tree Nursery
797 Port Wooden Rd.
Upton, KY 42784
270-369-8551
http://www.nolinnursery.com

Forrest Keeling Nursery
88 Keeling Lane
Elsberry, MO 63343
(800) 356-2401 or (573) 898-5571
http://www.fknursery.com

(if you are located on the West Coast)
Burnt Ridge Nursery
432 Burnt Ridge Rd
Onalaska, WA 98570
360-985-2873
http://landru.i-link-2.net/burntridge/

Owl Creek Ranch
14637 Claribel Rd.
Waterford, CA 95386-9745
209-848-4816, fax. 209-847-1083
Email: owl-nuts@ix.netcom.com

(if you are located in the southeastern USA)
Chestnut Hill Nursery
15105 NW 94th Ave.
Alachua, FL 32615
800-669-2067
http://www.chestnuthillnursery.com

An extended list of suppliers world wide can be found at:
http://www.caes.state.ct.us/FactSheetFiles/PlantPathology/fspp050f.htm

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How far apart should the trees be in alley cropping?
There is no short and simple answer to this question (and it is a very good question). This depends on the objective of the alley cropping practice and the short-, medium- and long-term objectives of the landowner and the tree and crop combinations selected.

Please refer to the alley cropping information in the Agroforestry 5-Practices DVD

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How long does it take for Chinese chestnut trees to begin bearing commercial quantities of nuts?
Six to nine years, depending on the variety.

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"I’ve heard pine straw might be a good mulch for me to use in my spring landscaping ... can you tell me more about it?"
You have heard correctly. The naturally shed needles of pine trees are known as pine straw, and it is an excellent mulching material. In fact, pine straw is the number one mulching material used in landscape plantings in the Southeastern U.S.! In contrast to hardwood bulk mulch, pine straw can produce needles every year, making it a sustainable mulch product. Because pine straw is actually a leaf (needle), it benefits the environment in the same way that decomposing leaves benefit the forest floor by recycling nutrients and maintaining soil organic matter. Have you noticed that hardwood and pine bark mulch can wash away in a strong rain? You’ll be delighted to find that pine straw knits together and stays in place during heavy rain, also helping prevent soil erosion!

Pine straw is currently available at Heckemeyer Farms, 206 College Rd., Sikeston, Mo. Phone: (573) 471-8198. Watch for Missouri pine straw at a retailer in your area soon. For more information about UMCA pine straw research, visit http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/profit/pine/pine.asp

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Will chestnuts grow in your area?
Chinese chestnut is not native to the USA (you can not grow American chestnut for very long - they will die from chestnut blight). Because Chinese chestnut grows over a very wide area of China, it is pure guesswork as to which cultivars, if any, will work in your area. For west coast growers, European cultivars seem to work best. As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea to purchase cultivars from a reputable nursery located reasonably close to your area.

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Where can I buy Missouri-grown chestnuts?
While chestnuts are not yet a staple item in most Missouri grocery stores and specialty food shops, the Center is working to expand their availability and generate consumer interest in purchasing these sweet, versatile nuts. Fresh locally grown chestnuts will be available for sale in 2008 at several events in Columbia where the UMCA staff will have an exhibit booth. Two of these events include the Columbia Farmers Market on November 15 and the Living Windows Festival in downtown Columbia on December 5. Free admission and parking at both events. Chestnuts are also being sold from September through December 2008 at Clover’s Natural Market in Columbia. Chestnut recipes and a guidesheet on chestnut roasting are available on the Publications page.

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