Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: DC on August 22, 2019, 03:32:16 pm

Title: Horse Chestnut acorns
Post by: DC on August 22, 2019, 03:32:16 pm

My neighbours Horse Chestnut tree is about to start dropping whatever you call their fruit. Is there any use for these things? Stain maybe.

Title: Re: Horse Chestnut acorns
Post by: Stoker on August 22, 2019, 04:43:55 pm

Slingshot ammo. Keeps the neighbors cats at bay.
Thanks Leroy

Title: Re: Horse Chestnut acorns
Post by: YosemiteBen on August 22, 2019, 05:12:20 pm

"chestnuts roasting over an open fire" ring a bell? Open the prickly pod and there are the nuts.

Title: Re: Horse Chestnut acorns
Post by: DC on August 22, 2019, 06:08:07 pm

There's a difference between Chestnuts and Horse Chestnuts isn't there. Wikipedia says Horse Chestnuts are not Chestnuts to start with and they are slightly poisonous.

Title: Re: Horse Chestnut acorns
Post by: Pat B on August 22, 2019, 06:51:36 pm

Horse chestnuts are the European cousin to buckeyes(Aesculas) and I don't think they are edible. The Ohio buckeye is poisonous.

Title: Re: Horse Chestnut acorns
Post by: YosemiteBen on August 23, 2019, 10:01:37 am

In California the buckeye was eaten as a starvation food in the lack or absence of acorns. It can be smashed and rinsed at least a dozen times in clean water each time to remove the "chemicals" that make it toxic. Then it was boiled in baskets with hot rocks. It was also used to stun fish in fresh water. I watched movies in elementary school years ago on the process. Might be able to find them on you tube. I think they were made in the 60s?

Title: Re: Horse Chestnut acorns
Post by: YosemiteBen on August 23, 2019, 05:19:20 pm

Found it! www.Youtube.com/watch?v=3J5XTH2gKwl it is from 1961 Nisenan Maidu