Sweet Chestnuts.... Ideal time to pick?

[The Big Lebowski]

I have two good size tree's that I have been watching for some time... One is dropping the Chestnuts now but they are tiny.

The other recent find is mucho better
When are they best to collect? The shells are just starting to brown but the cases are only just split and somewhat difficult to handle
Cheers, al.

 

[Bigfoot]

It was mid to late October last year for me. Looks like this year might be the same, there are windfalls but the nuts are not yet at their peak.

 

[Retired Member southey]

i have been munching them for the last week or so dude, Stout shoes and a roll squash technique for dropped unopen cases works well, they were dropping rubbish withered nuts two weeks ago, then last Saturday when I checked they were dropping good fat ones

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Sweet....

(bad pun, I know)

Nice one guys. Tree- A might be worth another look, but tree- B was very impressive! Nom Nom.