Chestnut tree leaf issue

[Jaxon Holler]

I’ve been trying to harden off my chestnut seedlings by putting them out for a few hours during the day. After I brought them in the other day, I noticed some of the leaves got a bit crispy and curled. It was pretty windy and sunny. Curious if they will bounce back. Should I give them more water? Leave them in the house for a few days or continue with the daily outside exposure?

 

[marlin]

I put mine in the shade and then gradually introduced to direct sunlight after five or six days of being in the shade.

 

[westonwhitetail]

I think they will be ok if they still have 2-3 leaves survive, next year they will bounce back. It looks like the bottom leaves will not make it and turn brown and die, but the top ones may survive

 

[Hoytvectrix]

The bleached leaves look like sun scald. I grown a few hundred trees from seed each winter and always harden mine off VERY gradually over the course of a 2-3 weeks. I first bring them outside and place them in a protected area that gets no direct sunlight for about 10-14 days. Then, I move them into mostly shade for a week or so. After that, they are good to go and ready to be planted in full sun conditions.