Insect v. Wind Pollination of the Ozark Chinquapin, Castanea ozarkensis

Castanea ozarkensis populations have been decimated across much of its range due to chestnut blight, Cryphonectria parasitica.  Ozark chinquapin possesses characteristics of both wind and insect pollination strategies but current propagation methods have used hand pollination.   An experiment was conducted to determine which natural condition produced a more superior seed set.  Three treatment types were applied to separate branches during flowering:  one to allow insects and wind, one to exclude insects and allow wind, and one to exclude insects and wind.  Flowers that were allowed contact from both wind and insects produced a greater seed set.