===== PAGE 1 ===== # THE KENTUCKY COLONELS ‘KERNEL’ “Scion” of the Kentucky Nut Growers Association Kirk W. Pomper – Editor/Publisher (502) 597-5942 Volume 2-51 Number 1 Spring 2021 ## OFFICERS Ken LaVere Upton, KY – President (270) 369-8764 Fred Blankenship, Rhodelia, KY – Vice President (270) 272-7670 Cole Hamilton, KY–Vice President David Spainhoward, Spottsville, KY – Vice President Harold Upton, Waynesburg, KY – Vice President Larry Daulton, Nicholasville, KY – Vice President Blake Cothron, Stanford, KY – Secretary Douglas Hines, Paris, KY-Treasurer (859) 987-1211 Dr. Kirk W. Pomper and Sheri Crabtree, Frankfort, KY, Editor/Publisher Hugh Ligon, Henderson, KY Kenny Beard, E'town, KY Dr. John Strang, Lexington, KY Clifford England, McKee, KY Karl Klein, Crestwood, KY Chairman of Hickories Fred Blankenship ## DIRECTORS (from KY): ## NOMINATING COMMITTEE Three Years – Doug Hines, Paris, KY - Expires 2019 Three Years – Danny Ganno, Henderson, KY - Expires 2019 Three Years – Fred Blankenship, Rhodelia, KY - Expires 2019 ## OTHER STATES Danny Vessels, Chandler, IN ## KENTUCKY NUT GROWERS ASSOCIATION UPCOMING MEETINGS The Spring meeting of the Kentucky Nut Growers Association has been cancelled due to ongoing COVID-19 precautions. A late summer or early fall 2021 meeting (likely earlier than the usual October meeting date) is being tentatively planned at England’s Orchard and Nursery, McKee, KY. Please be on the lookout for a postcard or early fall newsletter with meeting day, time, and location information. For more information, please contact Cliff England at 606-965-2228 or nuttrees@prtcnet.org. We hope you are staying safe and healthy during this time and enjoying the beautiful spring weather. ## Inside This Issue Corrective Pruning for Persimmon and Nut Trees Injured by the 2020 May Freeze.....2 Persimmon fact sheet.....3 Save Our Species: A blueprint for restoring butternut (Juglans cinerea) across Eastern North America.....5 Recipe.....5 In Remembrance.....6 Electronic Resources.....7 Upcoming Meetings.....7 ===== PAGE 2 ===== # Corrective Pruning for Persimmon and Nut Trees Injured by the 2020 May Freeze John Strang, Extension Fruit & Vegetable Specialist, Emeritus Last spring's May freeze killed the young shoots on persimmons, chestnuts and some other nut types based on how low the temperature dropped. This injury was just like a heading back cut where the tip of a shoot is removed. As a result, trees produced multiple undesirable shoots below each dead shoot. This will result in further unwanted branch growth this season and cause young trees to develop poor limb structures. It is not reasonable to try and correct this on older larger trees, but it would be worth the time to correct this on young trees. Prune out the dead shoots and some of the excess shoots. Undesirable shoots will often be growing straight up, downward, back towards the tree center or shoots may just be too close together. Use thinning out cuts where the entire young shoot is removed at its base. The number of shoots should be reduced to one to three on most terminals. Figures 1 and 2 below show corrective pruning on a freeze injured persimmon tree.
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Figure 1. Persimmon prior to pruning
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Figure 2. Persimmon following corrective pruning
===== PAGE 3 ===== # Persimmon Fact Sheet Cliff England, England’s Orchard and Nursery What I am about to cover is a short course on persimmons. We will begin with persimmon sexes. There are five known persimmon race sexes, plus most persimmons are parthenocarpic, meaning that persimmons will set fruit without a male and the fruit will be seedless.
Persimmons Sexes:
M/F= Male that produces female flowers
F/M= Female that produces male flowers
F= Female flower
M= Male flowers
Then there are trees that make perfect flowers (Have both male and female parts) that are self-fertile but there are very few of these.
## Diospyros = Latin for Fruit of the Gods In the United States we have three persimmon species and three races that are being used by the industry: 90 Chromosome Kaki Asian Persimmons Diospyros kaki 90 Chromosome northern North American persimmons Diospyros virginiana 60 Chromosome southern North American Persimmons Diospyros virginiana 30 Chromosome southern Texas American Persimmons Diospyros virginiana 30 Chromosome Lotus Caucasus Mountains of Turkey and Ukraine Diospyros lotus used to stimulate pollination of persimmons to be seedless and is often used as a rootstock. Yes, I know it makes it even more confusing than it must be, but most people think that all persimmons are the same, when this is far from the truth. Only the like type 90 chromosome persimmons have the same number of chromosomes. Persimmon breeders have been able to cross these using pollen manipulation and embryo rescue techniques to produce hybrids. Russian plant breeders in the early 80s laboriously made the first cross using the before mentioned techniques to produce Rosseyanka, a 50/50 hybrid of American and Asian persimmons. This hybrid will readily cross with Asian (Kaki) X American (Virginiana) hybrid persimmons. Using Rosseyanka a friend of ours, David J. Lavergne from the University of Louisiana worked tirelessly and was able to develop many of the well-known hybrids in existence today. David passed away in January 2016 I believe. There are a number of other persimmon breeders from our area of the country. Jerry Lehman of Terre Haute Indiana made many crosses/ hybrids that will be propagated by nurseries for many ===== PAGE 4 ===== centuries to come. Unfortunately, Jerry passed away on April 1st, 2018. There is one other living persimmon breeder in addition to me, and that is Don Compton of Indiana, who is currently in poor health. Before Jerry Lehman there was John Gordon Jr., James Shanks, James Claypool, and JC McDaniels that worked on breeding North American 90 Chromosome persimmons. The combined knowledge of these before mentioned folks and partial knowledge that has been shared over and over with me and several others that were interested in breeding persimmons has been invaluable. At England’s Orchard and Nursery, we have both Asian (Kaki) persimmons and northern 90 chromosome persimmons and not more than five of the southern 60 chromosome American persimmons. Most of the trees on our farms #1 and 3 are hybrids of the 90 chromosome Kaki and Virginiana persimmons species. Northern persimmons produce quite large fruit that weigh up to between 2 and 4 ounces. This is as large as a scotch tape roll and they have similar shapes. Asian persimmons produce very large fruit that may weigh up to between 6 and 10 ounces. A grafted Kaki/Asian X Virginiana hybrid tree will produce in 3 years but will set a good harvestable crop in 5 years. Grafted Americans persimmons have similar production characteristics, that is, produce in 3 years, full crop in 7 years. Seedlings begin fruiting in as few as 5 to 6 years, but normally take 7 years for substantial production. Most seedling are male because most species of persimmons are male dominant, with 75-80% of all seedlings being male. If persimmon breeders use a 90 chromosome male parent that sets female flowers like F100, George or F58 the cross results in progeny that produce a high percentage of female seedlings. It is only the northern 90s and the Kaki that produce very desirable fruit. The 60 chromosome American persimmon has a place in the market since they produce very heavily, but cropping is very irregular from year to year. These are mostly marketed as wildlife food, but some have a very nice tasting fruit that most find appealing. The natural boundaries between the 90 and 60 chromosome types (northern and southern strains) are the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Over thousands of years Native Americans moved the seed back and forth from one area to another, but still today these persimmon races are labeled as American persimmons and most individuals do not know the difference. The southern 60 chromosome persimmons can grow to a massive size reaching from 80 to 100 feet in height and are used as timber trees, while the northern 90 chromosome persimmons mature into much smaller trees. These are an ideal orchard tree size, never growing much taller than 20 to 25 feet with a spread of 15 to 20 feet. Clifford and Kum Hui England England’s Orchard and Nursery 2338 Highway 2004 McKee, Kentucky 40447-8342 ===== PAGE 5 ===== # Save Our Species: A Blueprint for Restoring Butternut (Juglans cinerea) across Eastern North America Carolyn C. Pike, Martin Williams, Andrea Brennan, Keith Woeste, James Jacobs, Sean Hoban, Melanie Moore, and Jeanne Romero-Severson Journal of Forestry, Volume 119, Issue 2, March 2021, Pages 196–206 ## Abstract Butternut is a relatively uncommon hardwood tree native to eastern North America. The species’ abundance has declined over the past 50 years, primarily because of an invasive pathogen (Ophiognomonia clavigignenti-juglandacearum [Oc-j]) and loss of suitable habitat for regeneration. Although genetic diversity of butternut is highest along the southern range edge, genetic diversity rangewide is fairly high, except in small and isolated populations. Although there is little evidence for even moderate resistance in native butternut, hybrids with Japanese walnut, a closely related species, display enough tolerance to infection to persist on the landscape and bear abundant nut crops year after year. Cryostorage of native embryogenic axes has yielded promising initial results as a strategy for gene conservation, but additional action is needed to conserve the remaining native gene pool. We describe a strategy for canker-resistance breeding in butternut using naturally occurring hybrids, hybrids in research orchards, and sources of native trees from as many regions as possible. Forest managers are encouraged to find surviving trees and collect seed for planting in suitable habitat to develop actionable knowledge that will enable the restoration of butternut with enough resistance to be self-sustaining on the landscape. Full article may be found at https://doi.org/10.1093/jofore/fvaa053 . • 2 cups salad greens • 1 cup fresh raspberries - 1 cup fresh blackberries - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1/4 fresh mint, roughly chopped - 2 peaches, thinly sliced • 1 avocado, diced - 6 ounces goats cheese, crumbled - 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts ## Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette • 1/4 cup olive oil - 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar • 1 tablespoon honey • salt and pepper - Combine the salad greens, berries, tomatoes, mint and peaches to a large bowl and gently toss to combine. Top with the diced avocado, cheese and nuts. Add all of the ingredients for the vinaigrette to a small jar, cover and shake to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Just before serving, drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and serve. ===== PAGE 6 ===== # In Remembrance ## Paul Andrew Cotner, 1928-2020 Paul Cotner was born April 6, 1928 in Central, Indiana to Raymond and Rozella Cotner. He is survived by his devoted younger brother and caretaker Ted Cotner, and a number of nieces and nephews. Paul honorably served his country twice during war time in the United States Army. He served the rest of his World War II enlistment as part of the occupational force of Japan. Paul was called again unexpectedly by the Army as an inactive reservist in the early stages of the Korean War when things were going badly. After being honorably discharged, he returned home to southern Indiana. Paul was a man of many talents and unique interests. However, perhaps his fondest interest was his farm on the Ohio River to which he retired in 1985, after thirty years of service at the Louisville Assembly Plant for the Ford Motor Company. Cotner Orchards was known all over the region for the delicious peaches that Paul grew. People would drive from over 100 miles away to buy peaches at the peach shed. The orchard also produced the highest quality apples, pears, walnuts, and pecans. Cotner Orchards was also home to the "Savilla Peach" and the "Stoker Black Walnut", both of which he created through hybridization.
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## Thurman Elson Bullington, 1934-2020 Thurman Elson Bullington, age 86 of Smiths Grove KY passed away on October 15, 2020. Elson was born September 24, 1934 in Indianapolis to the late Thurman Elson Bullington, Sr and Winnie Dossey Bullington. He studied business management and agriculture and ran the family farm until later years. Elson's family bought the farm in 1951 and in 1970, they decided to close the dairy operation and convert to beef cattle and a large orchard. purchased the property next door and converted the house to a market. Through this location and his involvement as one of the earliest members of the Bowling Green Farmers Market, Elson provided many varieties of fresh fruit. He also offered a variety of nuts, honey, and apple cider. In 1994 Elson received a Certificate of Appreciation for his years of service and dedication to the Warren County Extension Service. Elson continued to operate the family farm until 2016. Elson was so knowledgeable about horticulture that the University of Kentucky brought students to his farm to attend a hands-on class led by him on grafting techniques. He also won numerous ribbons through the years at the Kentucky State Fair. Elson is survived by first cousins Doris Pulliam, Jerolynn Pedigo (Charles), James Bullington (Valerie) and Michael Bullington. Elson had numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends he loved and appreciated.
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===== PAGE 7 ===== ## KNGA ELECTRONIC RESOURCES: Would you like to receive the KNGA Newsletter electronically? This would enable you to see photos in color, easily follow internet links, and save paper. If you would like to receive the newsletter electronically via email, please send your name and email address to Sheri Crabtree at sheri.crabtree@kysu.edu.. The Northern Nut Growers Association has a podcast: Find the NNGA podcast, Go Nuts on the NNGA website at https://nutgrowing.org/go-nuts/ Please check out the Kentucky Nut Growers Association Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/Kentucky-Nut-Growers-Association-1599224510355036/ The Fruit and Nut Cultivar Nursery Sources List has been revised for 2020 and is available at https://www.uky.edu/hort/sites/www.uky.edu.hort/files/documents/HortFact_3002_2020.pdf, or ask your county extension office to print a hard copy. ## UPCOMING MEETINGS: May 4, 2021. Fruit Grower Orchard Meeting. Schedule TBD. Evans Orchard and Cider Mill, Kevan Evans, 198 Stone Rd., Georgetown, KY 40324, Phone: 502-863-2255. Jan. 2-4, 2022 Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Schedule TBD. Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace, Bowling Green, KY 42103. Contact Kentucky Horticulture Council at 859-490-0889; Email: info@kyhortcouncil.org. ## Annual Dues Information NOTICE: the year listed immediately after your address label indicates the year through which your membership dues are paid. Please note that dates highlighted in pink indicate that your KNGA membership is past due. Please renew your membership. Thanks! England's Orchard & Nursery Specializing in exotic fruit and nut trees for alternative crops. Other products include: • Grafting knives • Nut cracking equipment • Tree protectors • And much more!
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606-965-2228 www.nuttrees.net|nuttrees@prtcnet.org ===== PAGE 8 ===== FIRST CLASS # MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION KENTUCKY NUT GROWERS ASSOCIATION TO: Douglas Hines 679 Townsend Valley Road Paris, KY 40361 DATE ___ □ NEW MEMBER □ RENEWAL □ CHANGE OF ADDRESS NAME ___ ST OR RFD ___ CITY ___ STATE ___ ZIP ___ EMAIL ADDRESS ___ OCCUPATION _____ COUNTY _____ AMT. ENCLOSED FOR DUES ____FOR YEAR(S) ____Dues are 5.00 for one year. Annual membership begins January 1^{st} . New members joining after July 1^{st} $ shall be credited as paid in full for the next calendar year.) For additional information about joining KNGA, please contact Ken LaVere, 270-369-8764.