--- title: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire description: Country girl Jayne Gray finds chestnuts on her rural land, harvests them and roasts them, bringing new meaning to the Christmas song. image: https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hubfs/Feb2016/65.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/chestnuts-roasting-on-an-open-fire#Main) [![Raydient Rural Logo](https://www.raydientrural.com/images/RR_Header_Logo.png)](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/) - Search Our Communities Close - [Land For Sale](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/) - Alabama - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Alabama Land](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/) - [Baldwin County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/baldwin-county/) - [Butler County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/butler-county/) - [Coffee County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/coffee-county/) - [Covington County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/covington-county/) - [Old Salt Road](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/covington-county/old-salt-road/) - [Crenshaw County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/crenshaw-county/) - [View all in Alabama](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/) - Florida - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Florida Land](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/) - [Baker County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/baker-county/) - [Steel Bridge](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/baker-county/steel-bridge/) - [Bradford County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/bradford-county/) - [Columbia County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/columbia-county/) - [Falling Creek Farms](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/columbia-county/falling-creek-farms/) - [Duval County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/duval-county/) - [Brandy Branch](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/duval-county/brandy-branch/) - [Madison County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/madison-county/) - [Nassau County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/nassau-county/) - [Andrews Grove](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/nassau-county/andrews-grove/) - [Bay Farms](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/nassau-county/bay-farms/) - [Brandy Branch](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/duval-county/brandy-branch/) - [Stave Branch](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/nassau-county/stave-branch/) - [View all in Florida](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/) - Georgia - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Georgia Land](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/) - [Bulloch County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/bulloch-county/) - [Lanes Creek Farms](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/bulloch-county/lanes-creek-farms/) - [Charlton County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/charlton-county/) - [Riverhaven](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/charlton-county/riverhaven/) - [The Refuge](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/charlton-county/the-refuge/) - [Laurens County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/laurens-county/) - [Bluewater](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/laurens-county/bluewater/) - [View all in Georgia](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/) - Louisiana - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Louisiana Land](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/) - [Allen Parish](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/allen-parish/) - [Evergreen Trace](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/allen-parish/evergreen-trace/) - [Hidden Forest](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/allen-parish/hidden-forest/) - [Mallard Farms](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/allen-parish/mallard-farms/) - [Calcasieu Parish](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/calcasieu-parish/) - [Jefferson Davis Parish](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/jefferson-davis-parish/) - [Gander Way](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/jefferson-davis-parish/gander-way/) - [View all in Louisiana](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/) - Texas - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Texas Land](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/) - [Angelina County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/angelina-county/) - [Liberty County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/liberty-county/) - [Gaylor Creek](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/liberty-county/gaylor-creek/) - [Polk County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/polk-county/) - [Plum Creek Farms](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/polk-county/plum-creek-farms/) - [Stryker Mill](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/polk-county/stryker-mill/) - [Sugar Hill](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/polk-county/sugar-hill/) - [Walker County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/walker-county/) - [Willow Creek](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/walker-county/willow-creek/) - [View all in Texas](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/) - [![Menu CTA Checklist](https://www.raydientrural.com/media/22vjatsz/menu_cta_checklist.jpg?width=345&format=webp&quality=80&v=1db3feb614d9360)](https://info.raydientplaces.com/questions-to-ask-when-buying-rural-land) - Rethink:Rural Blog Resources Close - [Rethink:Rural Blog](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/) - [Most Recent](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog) - Why Go Rural - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Why Go Rural](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/why-go-rural) - [Health & Wellness](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/health) - [Family Life](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/family) - [Country Life](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/country-life) - [Freedom](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/freedom) - Rural Lifestyle - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Rural Lifestyle](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/rural-lifestyle) - [Birding](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/birding) - [Farming](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/farming) - [Gardening](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/gardening) - [Hunting & Fishing](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/hunting-and-fishing) - [Recipes](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/food) - [Recreation](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/recreation) - [Sustainability](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/sustainability) - Rural Lands - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Rural Lands](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/rural-lands) - [Alabama](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/alabama) - [Florida](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/florida) - [Georgia](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/georgia) - [Louisiana](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/louisiana) - [Mississippi](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/mississippi) - [Texas](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/texas) - Buying Land - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Buying Land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/buying-land) - [Buying 101](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/buying-101) - [Finance](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/finance) - [Insurance](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/insurance) - [Finding Land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/finding-land) - Owning Land - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Owning Land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/owning-land) - [Improving Land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/improving-land) - [Managing land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/managing-land) - [Making a homesite](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/making-a-homesite) - [Rural People](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/rural-people) - [Starting a farm](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/starting-a-farm) - [The Rural Rules](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/the-rural-rules) - [E-Guides](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/e-guides) - [County Guides](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/county-guides) - [Buyer Video Testimonials](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/buyer-video-testimonials) - [Landowner Video Stories](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/landowner-video-stories) - [About Us](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/about) - [Subscribe](https://info.raydientrural.com/subscribe-to-the-rethink-rural-blog) - [About](https://www.raydientrural.com/about/) - [Contact Us](https://www.raydientrural.com/contact-us/) Menu - Search Our Communities - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg)back - [Land For Sale](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/) - Alabama - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Alabama Land](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/) - [Baldwin County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/baldwin-county/) - [Butler County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/butler-county/) - [Coffee County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/coffee-county/) - [Covington County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/covington-county/) - [Old Salt Road](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/covington-county/old-salt-road/) - [Crenshaw County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/crenshaw-county/) - [View all in Alabama](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/alabama/) - Florida - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Florida Land](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/) - [Baker County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/baker-county/) - [Steel Bridge](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/baker-county/steel-bridge/) - [Bradford County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/bradford-county/) - [Columbia County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/columbia-county/) - [Falling Creek Farms](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/columbia-county/falling-creek-farms/) - [Duval County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/duval-county/) - [Brandy Branch](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/duval-county/brandy-branch/) - [Madison County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/madison-county/) - [Nassau County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/nassau-county/) - [Andrews Grove](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/nassau-county/andrews-grove/) - [Bay Farms](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/nassau-county/bay-farms/) - [Brandy Branch](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/duval-county/brandy-branch/) - [Stave Branch](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/nassau-county/stave-branch/) - [View all in Florida](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/florida/) - Georgia - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Georgia Land](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/) - [Bulloch County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/bulloch-county/) - [Lanes Creek Farms](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/bulloch-county/lanes-creek-farms/) - [Charlton County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/charlton-county/) - [Riverhaven](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/charlton-county/riverhaven/) - [The Refuge](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/charlton-county/the-refuge/) - [Laurens County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/laurens-county/) - [Bluewater](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/laurens-county/bluewater/) - [View all in Georgia](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/georgia/) - Louisiana - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Louisiana Land](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/) - [Allen Parish](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/allen-parish/) - [Evergreen Trace](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/allen-parish/evergreen-trace/) - [Hidden Forest](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/allen-parish/hidden-forest/) - [Mallard Farms](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/allen-parish/mallard-farms/) - [Calcasieu Parish](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/calcasieu-parish/) - [Jefferson Davis Parish](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/jefferson-davis-parish/) - [Gander Way](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/jefferson-davis-parish/gander-way/) - [View all in Louisiana](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/louisiana/) - Texas - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Texas Land](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/) - [Angelina County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/angelina-county/) - [Liberty County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/liberty-county/) - [Gaylor Creek](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/liberty-county/gaylor-creek/) - [Polk County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/polk-county/) - [Plum Creek Farms](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/polk-county/plum-creek-farms/) - [Stryker Mill](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/polk-county/stryker-mill/) - [Sugar Hill](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/polk-county/sugar-hill/) - [Walker County](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/walker-county/) - [Willow Creek](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/walker-county/willow-creek/) - [View all in Texas](https://www.raydientrural.com/search-our-communities/texas/) - [![Menu CTA Checklist](https://www.raydientrural.com/media/22vjatsz/menu_cta_checklist.jpg?width=345&format=webp&quality=80&v=1db3feb614d9360)](https://info.raydientplaces.com/questions-to-ask-when-buying-rural-land) - Rethink:Rural Blog Resources - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg)back - [Rethink:Rural Blog](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/) - [Most Recent](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog) - Why Go Rural - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Why Go Rural](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/why-go-rural) - [Health & Wellness](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/health) - [Family Life](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/family) - [Country Life](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/country-life) - [Freedom](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/freedom) - Rural Lifestyle - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Rural Lifestyle](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/rural-lifestyle) - [Birding](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/birding) - [Farming](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/farming) - [Gardening](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/gardening) - [Hunting & Fishing](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/hunting-and-fishing) - [Recipes](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/food) - [Recreation](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/recreation) - [Sustainability](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/sustainability) - Rural Lands - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Rural Lands](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/rural-lands) - [Alabama](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/alabama) - [Florida](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/florida) - [Georgia](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/georgia) - [Louisiana](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/louisiana) - [Mississippi](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/mississippi) - [Texas](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/texas) - Buying Land - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Buying Land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/buying-land) - [Buying 101](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/buying-101) - [Finance](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/finance) - [Insurance](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/insurance) - [Finding Land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/finding-land) - Owning Land - ![Back](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/Sub_Nav_Arrow.jpg) back - [Owning Land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/owning-land) - [Improving Land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/improving-land) - [Managing land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/managing-land) - [Making a homesite](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/making-a-homesite) - [Rural People](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/rural-people) - [Starting a farm](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/starting-a-farm) - [The Rural Rules](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/the-rural-rules) - [E-Guides](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/e-guides) - [County Guides](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/county-guides) - [Buyer Video Testimonials](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/buyer-video-testimonials) - [Landowner Video Stories](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/landowner-video-stories) - [About Us](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/about) - [Subscribe](https://info.raydientrural.com/subscribe-to-the-rethink-rural-blog) - [About](https://www.raydientrural.com/about/) - [Contact Us](https://www.raydientrural.com/contact-us/) ![Desktop Hero Image](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rethink-Rural-2024-Website-Templates/images/ReRu_Home_Hero.jpg?width=1800&height=340&name=ReRu_Home_Hero.jpg "Desktop Hero Image") ![Rethink Rural Logo](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rethink-Rural-2024-Website-Templates/images/ReRu_Logo.png?width=840&height=192&name=ReRu_Logo.png) - [Rethink:Rural](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/) | - [Blog](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog) | - [Chestnuts roasting on an open fire](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/chestnuts-roasting-on-an-open-fire) - [![Facebook Link](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rethink-Rural-2024-Website-Templates/images/Icon_Facebook.png?width=10&height=21&name=Icon_Facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rethinkrural/421805577985766) - [![X/Twitter Link](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rethink-Rural-2024-Website-Templates/images/Icon_X.png?width=20&height=20&name=Icon_X.png)](https://twitter.com/rethink_rural) - [![Instagram Link](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rethink-Rural-2024-Website-Templates/images/Icon_Instagram.png?width=20&height=20&name=Icon_Instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/rethinkruralblog/) - [![Pinterest Link](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rethink-Rural-2024-Website-Templates/images/Icon_Pinterest.png?width=16&height=21&name=Icon_Pinterest.png)](https://www.pinterest.com/rethinkrura0483/) - [![RSS Feed Link](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rethink-Rural-2024-Website-Templates/images/Icon_RSS.png?width=20&height=20&name=Icon_RSS.png)](https://rethinkrural.raydientplaces.com/blog/rss.xml) - [![Subscribe Link](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rethink-Rural-2024-Website-Templates/images/Icon_Email.png?width=23&height=20&name=Icon_Email.png)](https://info.raydientplaces.com/subscribe-to-the-rethink-rural-blog) December 2015 # Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ![Chestnuts roasting on an open fire](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Feb2016/65.jpg?length=1151&name=65.jpg) Do the lyrics, “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” instantly put you in the Christmas mood, or is it just me?  It could be the middle of October but if I hear that line, BAM!  Instant Christmas.   Everyone knows that line from “The Christmas Song” but when’s the last time you actually saw a chestnut?  What about a chestnut tree?  Up until about a month ago I thought I had never seen one - but I was wrong. Thanks to my husband’s recent tree obsession we discovered that we’ve had two chestnut trees in our neighborhood for years. We did a little research and in the process fell in love with our property even more. Back in the late 1800s the American chestnut tree was one of the most common and important trees in the Eastern United States. They could be easily found from Northern Florida to Southern Maine and west into Tennessee and Ohio. These trees boasted beautiful, bright green leaves; had trunks with a diameter of more than 10 feet; and easily grew to heights upwards of 100 feet.  The wood from the chestnut tree was fairly light but strong and easy to work with. It was used to make fence posts, furniture and building materials for homes, and its high level of tannic acid kept it from rotting longer than most woods. The nuts themselves were an important source of food for people as well as livestock and wildlife. Native Americans used parts of the trees to treat whooping cough, heart conditions and chafing skin. Some information sources say that at one point in time chestnut trees were just as common in the south as pecan trees. I can remember when I was a little girl, one of our chores each fall was picking up pecans on our family farm.  We’d bundle up against the cold (well, 50 degrees was frigid to a little Southern girl) and would watch the big shaker machines shake the nuts out of the trees before we’d crawl around on our hands and knees picking them up.  Some of the best daydreams I ever had were under those pecan trees. I’d lay on my back and gaze up through the leaves at the soft sun and just let my mind wander …… Some of the best spankings I ever had were under those pecan trees too. Seems I did more daydreaming than pecan-picking. There were little orchards of pecan trees dotting the landscape everywhere you looked - but I never remember seeing or even hearing anyone mention chestnuts. So what happened?  Where did they all go? In 1904 a chestnut blight fungus was brought into the United States on some trees being imported into New York. It quickly spread and wiped out the entire range of American chestnut trees by the 1940s. Newly sprouted trees were reinfected with the blight and never matured older than just a few years. That was the end of an era for the mighty chestnut. Thankfully, the Chinese chestnut, cousin to the American chestnut, was more resistant to the blight and is slowly making appearances in the southeast. We’ve lived in our country subdivision for 20 years now and had never really paid much attention to the pair of trees planted behind the blueberry bushes near the pond.  They had long, low-lying limbs with lush green leaves and these funky, spiky balls sprouting on them.   ![chestnuts growing on a tree](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Feb2016/Chestnut_1_900.jpg?width=900&name=Chestnut_1_900.jpg "chestnuts growing on a tree") Those balls turn brown when they’re ripe and fall to the ground and will poke you straight through your tennis shoes if you wander too close.  And if you happen to wear your favorite sparkly flip-flops you might as well hang it up. ![chestnuts in nature](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Feb2016/Chestnut_2_900.jpg?width=900&name=Chestnut_2_900.jpg "chestnuts in nature") My husband’s curiosity finally got the best of him and he did some research and discovered that we had been blessed with a pair of hard-to-come-by chestnut trees! The song popped into my head and, BAM! Instant Christmas. I had visions of our little family gathered around the fireplace roasting chestnuts, just like the song says. Sigh … Instant Christmas. Harvesting chestnuts is a lot harder than my experiences with pecans. I didn’t get any spankings this go-around but I did get quite a few pricks on my fingertips. I’d advise using tongs or a baseball glove or suckering someone else into picking them up and prying open the prickly balls to get the glossy, chestnut-colored nuts. I wonder, did the color get its name from the nut or did the nut get its name from the color?   ![chestnuts in nature growing on tree](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Feb2016/Chestnut_3_900.jpg?width=900&name=Chestnut_3_900.jpg "chestnuts in nature growing on tree") Anyway, we read that it’s easier to roast chestnuts in an oven so we gave that a shot and had pretty good results. I love any excuse to use my cast iron skillets so after cutting an “x” into the hulls of the nuts I roasted them in a 425 degree oven for 25 minutes.   ![chestnuts roasting in frying pan](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Feb2016/Chestnut_5_900.jpg?width=900&name=Chestnut_5_900.jpg "chestnuts roasting in frying pan") You might want to let them cool for a few minutes before peeling off the hull. ![chestnuts roasting in frying pan](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Feb2016/Chestnut_6_900.jpg?width=900&name=Chestnut_6_900.jpg "chestnuts roasting in frying pan") I’m a die-hard pecan/peanut girl and found the texture to be a little on the mealy side so I smashed them a bit and roasted them for another 5 minutes to give them more crunch.   ![what roasted chestnuts look like](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Feb2016/Chestnut_7_900.jpg?width=900&name=Chestnut_7_900.jpg "what roasted chestnuts look like") They came out toasty, nutty, slightly sweet and perfectly Christmas-y! I have a new appreciation for “The Christmas Song” now, and an even greater love for our neighborhood, all thanks to those weird trees behind the blueberry bushes near the pond.   [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1710963/131d6d70-292c-4ce1-bd2b-70c9d2a18514.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1710963/131d6d70-292c-4ce1-bd2b-70c9d2a18514) *Are you dreaming of having adventures on your own country land? View rural land for sale throughout the South on our parent company's website, [RaydientPlaces.com](https://raydientplaces.com/).* ![Jayne Gray](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Feb2016/jgray.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=jgray.jpg) Jayne Gray Jayne Gray I'm a part-time preschool teacher, full-time Southern Domestic Goddess. I love writing, singing, making stained glass art, cooking, entertaining, all things sparkly/glittery, spending time with my family, being creative in general, and just loving life! I live on a river in South Georgia with my husband of 19 years, Tim, and our two sons whom I lovingly refer to as Teenaged Man/Child (17) and Baby Boy (11.) I'm also stepmama/friend to my adorable stepdaughter, Sweetie Pea (26.) There's never a dull moment in my day and I'm constantly reminded why God gave me this great sense of humor! Read [all of Jayne Gray's posts](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/author/jayne-gray) Categories - ![Nav_Icon_Most_Recent](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Nav_Icon_Most_Recent.png?width=38&height=36&name=Nav_Icon_Most_Recent.png) [Most Recent](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog) - ![Nav_Icon_Why_Go_Rural](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20RethinkRural%20Redesign/Nav_Icon_Why_Go_Rural.png?width=30&height=30&name=Nav_Icon_Why_Go_Rural.png) [Why Go Rural](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/why-go-rural) ![Arrow Icon](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rethink-Rural-2024-Website-Templates/images/Nav_Arrows.png?width=12&height=12&name=Nav_Arrows.png) - [Health & Wellness](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/health) - [Family Life](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/family) - [Country Life](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/country-life) - [Freedom](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/freedom) - ![Nav_Icon_Rural_Lifestyle](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20RethinkRural%20Redesign/Nav_Icon_Rural_Lifestyle.png?width=26&height=32&name=Nav_Icon_Rural_Lifestyle.png) [Rural Lifestyle](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/rural-lifestyle) ![Arrow Icon](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rethink-Rural-2024-Website-Templates/images/Nav_Arrows.png?width=12&height=12&name=Nav_Arrows.png) - [Birding](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/birding) - [Farming](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/farming) - [Gardening](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/gardening) - [Hunting & Fishing](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/hunting-and-fishing) - [Recipes](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/food) - [Recreation](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/recreation) - [Sustainability](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/sustainability) - ![Nav_Icon_Rural_Lands](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20RethinkRural%20Redesign/Nav_Icon_Rural_Lands.png?width=31&height=31&name=Nav_Icon_Rural_Lands.png) [Rural Lands](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/rural-lands) ![Arrow Icon](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rethink-Rural-2024-Website-Templates/images/Nav_Arrows.png?width=12&height=12&name=Nav_Arrows.png) - [Alabama](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/alabama) - [Florida](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/florida) - [Georgia](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/georgia) - [Louisiana](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/louisiana) - [Mississippi](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/mississippi) - [Texas](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/texas) - ![Nav_Icon_Buying_Land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20RethinkRural%20Redesign/Nav_Icon_Buying_Land.png?width=33&height=38&name=Nav_Icon_Buying_Land.png) [Buying Land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/buying-land) ![Arrow Icon](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rethink-Rural-2024-Website-Templates/images/Nav_Arrows.png?width=12&height=12&name=Nav_Arrows.png) - [Buying 101](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/buying-101) - [Finance](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/finance) - [Insurance](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/insurance) - [Finding Land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/finding-land) - ![Nav_Icon_Owning_Land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20RethinkRural%20Redesign/Nav_Icon_Owning_Land.png?width=34&height=34&name=Nav_Icon_Owning_Land.png) [Owning Land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/owning-land) ![Arrow Icon](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rethink-Rural-2024-Website-Templates/images/Nav_Arrows.png?width=12&height=12&name=Nav_Arrows.png) - [Improving Land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/improving-land) - [Managing land](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/managing-land) - [Making a homesite](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/making-a-homesite) - [Rural People](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/rural-people) - [Starting a farm](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/topic/starting-a-farm) - ![Nav_Icon_Videos](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20RethinkRural%20Redesign/Nav_Icon_Videos.png?width=35&height=27&name=Nav_Icon_Videos.png) [The Rural Rules](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/the-rural-rules) - ![Nav_Icon_EGuides](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20RethinkRural%20Redesign/Nav_Icon_EGuides.png?width=35&height=31&name=Nav_Icon_EGuides.png) [E-Guides](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/e-guides) - ![Nav_Icon_County_Guides](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20RethinkRural%20Redesign/Nav_Icon_County_Guides.png?width=35&height=37&name=Nav_Icon_County_Guides.png) [County Guides](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/county-guides) - ![Nav_Icon_Videos](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20RethinkRural%20Redesign/Nav_Icon_Videos.png?width=35&height=27&name=Nav_Icon_Videos.png) [Buyer Video Testimonials](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/buyer-video-testimonials) - ![Nav_Icon_Videos](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20RethinkRural%20Redesign/Nav_Icon_Videos.png?width=35&height=27&name=Nav_Icon_Videos.png) [Landowner Video Stories](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/landowner-video-stories) - [About Us](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/about) - [Subscribe](https://info.raydientrural.com/subscribe-to-the-rethink-rural-blog) Subscribe Today! Sign up for articles and tips on rural living [Subscribe](https://info.raydientplaces.com/subscribe-to-the-rethink-rural-blog) \* By subscribing, you agree to receive emails from Raydient and accept our [Privacy Policy](https://www.raydientrural.com/privacy-statement/). You can unsubscribe at any time. ![Grass Illustration](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rethink-Rural-2024-Website-Templates/images/Grass_Signup_Box.png?width=172&height=73&name=Grass_Signup_Box.png) Recommended For You [![How to Raise Turkeys on A Hobby Farm: A Complete Guide](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_683555938.jpg?length=420&name=shutterstock_683555938.jpg)](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/how-to-raise-turkeys-on-a-hobby-farm) [How to Raise Turkeys on A Hobby Farm: A Complete Guide](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/how-to-raise-turkeys-on-a-hobby-farm) [Read more](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/how-to-raise-turkeys-on-a-hobby-farm) [![Flower jellies](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GettyImages-1073262600.jpg?length=420&name=GettyImages-1073262600.jpg)](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/flower-jellies-recipes) [How to Make Flower Jellies + Violet Jelly Recipes](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/flower-jellies-recipes) [Read more](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/flower-jellies-recipes) [![The Benefits of Tourism Offices for Trip Planning](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mize_Tourism%20Article%20Lead.jpg?length=420&name=Mize_Tourism%20Article%20Lead.jpg)](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/benefits-of-tourism-offices-trip-planning) [The Benefits of Tapping into Tourism Offices for Outdoor Trip Planning](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/benefits-of-tourism-offices-trip-planning) [Read more](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/benefits-of-tourism-offices-trip-planning) [![Tips for Making Deer (Venison) Jerky](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GettyImages-1136595457.jpg?length=420&name=GettyImages-1136595457.jpg)](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/tips-for-making-venison-jerky) [Tips for Making Deer (Venison) Jerky](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/tips-for-making-venison-jerky) [Read more](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/blog/tips-for-making-venison-jerky) Leave a Comment Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked\* [![Raydient Rural logo](https://www.raydientrural.com//images/RR_Footer_Logo.png)](https://rethinkrural.raydientrural.com/) Raydient Places + Properties is on a mission to connect potential land buyers with our properties that best suit their needs for homesteads, recreation and investments. \*Raydient is a taxable subsidiary of [Rayonier Inc.](http://www.rayonier.com/), a timber real estate investment trust. Keep up with new lots through our newsletter Contact Us [1-844-877-LAND](tel:1-844-877-LAND) [info@raydientrural.com](mailTo:info@raydientrural.com) 1 Rayonier Way Wildlight, FL 32097 - © 2025 Raydient LLC. All rights reserved. - [Privacy Statement](https://www.raydientrural.com/privacy-statement/) - | - [Terms of Use](https://www.raydientrural.com/terms-of-use/) - | - [Accessibility](https://www.raydientrural.com/accessibility/) - [![Icon Facebook](https://www.raydientrural.com/media/bxhgogti/icon_facebook.png?format=webp&quality=80&v=1db3a61abc7d340)](https://www.facebook.com/RaydientPlaces) - [![Icon X](https://www.raydientrural.com/media/yksatwuc/icon_x.png?format=webp&quality=80&v=1db3a61aec55bd0)](https://twitter.com/RaydientRural) - [![Icon Instagram](https://www.raydientrural.com/media/x25fxrve/icon_instagram.png?format=webp&quality=80&v=1db3a61abaa6030)](https://www.instagram.com/rethinkruralblog/) - [![Icon Youtube](https://www.raydientrural.com/media/o5jj10pz/icon_youtube.png?format=webp&quality=80&v=1db3a61aed00a30)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAlCW048HTdGwrrTo26NcjA)