The Chestnut trees down by the creek are Chinese Chestnut, not American Chestnut.  The American Chestnut was nearly wiped out by a blight early in the twentieth century.  I sent samples to The American Chestnut Society a few years back, just curious, and they told me that our trees are most likely Chinese Chestnut, Castaneda mollissima.

 

Apparently, they are cyclic in nature, because last year there were very few, and this year there are hundreds of prickly fruits.  They will start falling whenever the nuts are ripe.  Look for opened burrs, because otherwise, you can't get to the nuts.  

 

They are very tasty, but please remember that the animals depend on them for winter nourishment. We collect a few for a treat, but leave most of them for the critters.

 

WARNING!!!  Use heavy gloves when handling the prickly burrs.  They hurt!!!!

 

HAPPY FORAGING!!