Marigoule facts for kids
Marigoule is a special kind of chestnut tree. It's a hybrid, which means it's a mix of two different types of chestnut trees: the European chestnut and the Japanese chestnut. This particular tree was first grown in 1986 in an orchard called Migoule, located in Ussac, France.
The name "Marigoule" comes from "Marron of Migoule." People love Marigoule chestnuts because they are very tasty! These trees grow best in sunny places that are not too high up, and where they are protected from strong winds. In France, Marigoule chestnuts are mostly grown in the southern regions, like near the Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne rivers. They are popular for selling fresh because their nuts look so nice.
Contents
Growing Marigoule Chestnuts
When you plant a Marigoule chestnut tree, it's important to know that it needs special care.
Planting and Compatibility
Sometimes, a tree needs to be grafted. This is like attaching a part of one tree (the Marigoule) onto the roots of another tree (called a rootstock). Marigoule doesn't work well with many rootstocks. However, it grows well with certain types, including:
- Precoce Migoule
- Maridonne
- Bournette
- Fertil
- Sauvage Marron
- Precoce Monteil
- Sucquette
Pollination and Nuts
Marigoule trees produce good pollen, which is like the plant's "seed dust" that helps other trees make fruit. This means Marigoule can help other chestnut trees that don't produce much pollen on their own, like 'Colossal' and 'Bouche de Betizac'.
However, Marigoule's own female flowers might have trouble getting pollinated if it rains a lot in late spring. So, farmers often plant other trees, like 'Precoce Migoule', nearby to help with pollination. For example, they might plant one row of 'Precoce Migoule' for every three rows of 'Marigoule'.
Marigoule trees start to produce nuts about 4 to 5 years after they are planted. The nuts ripen in the middle of autumn. They fall out of their spiky outer shell, called a burr. The nuts are large and have a bright reddish-brown color. They also store well after they are picked. After being stored for a few days, the nuts become very sweet and are easy to peel.
Tree Health and Growth
Marigoule trees grow quickly and strongly. But they need good soil that is rich in natural materials.
These trees are also quite tough! They are very good at resisting a plant disease called phytophthora, which can harm tree roots. They are also strong against another disease called canker. However, they don't like very cold weather or having their roots sit in too much water. Because they grow fast and have good wood, Marigoule trees are sometimes used to help regrow forests.
