Rescuing the
American Chestnut
Our mission is to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.
Our vision is a robust eastern forest returned to its splendor.
Annual Wild-Type Seed Sale
It’s almost here! TACF’s Annual Wild-Type American Chestnut Seed Sale is happening Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 9AM.
The cost per package of 10 seeds is $50, including shipping. (One bundle per customer.)
This is an extremely popular annual sale exclusively for current TACF members. Seed quantities are limited and are for sale while supplies last. Seeds may sell out quickly.
Please note that your membership or renewal must be received by March 1 and remain current through March 17 to be eligible to participate in the seedling sale.
did you know?
TACF is the steward of the most blight-resistant and most genetically diverse majority-American chestnut population in the world. (Meet the trees!)
This population is the foundation of our advanced RGS breeding program!
Chestnut Chat
Up Next: Chestnuts Across Maine
Join us on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (EPT), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat webinar.
Chestnuts Across Maine (CAM) is an exciting new initiative of the Maine Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation (ME-TACF), partnering with land trusts, state parks, schools, and town squares to establish small plantings of American chestnuts on publicly accessible lands. Their vision is that by 2035, anyone who wishes to see a live American chestnut tree can find one less than an hour’s drive from home, and see chestnut trees thriving within a 10-minute walk of every Maine school. Join Maine Chapter Vice President, Eva Butler, to learn more about this inspiring effort and how it’s taking root across the state.
Harnessing the Power of Genomics
The American Chestnut Foundation is using an advanced breeding method called recurrent genomic selection (RGS) to save the American chestnut. Learn more about this exciting technique by watching this introductory video, or take a deep dive into RGS on our breeding page.
Inspiring!
CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut is now available! For just $10, you will receive unlimited views and the ability to download and watch on multiple devices.
All proceeds support The American Chestnut Foundation’s mission to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.
Support Our Research
Found a tree?
Learn how to identify American chestnuts and send us a sample for identification.
Support The Restoration
Want a tree?
Learn how to get American chestnut seeds from TACF.
Latest News
TACF Honors the Winners of the 2025 Volunteer and Partner Service Awards
The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) honors outstanding volunteer community builders and pillars across its network of 16 state chapters, as well as the vital partners who support and participate in the Foundation’s restoration efforts. Each year, TACF’s staff...
Membership Auto Renewal is Here!
Exciting new Membership feature You asked and we listened! Several members have inquired about automatic annual membership renewals. We are excited to announce that we have added this feature and you can now set your membership donation to automatically renew each...
Michael Goergen Named President & CEO of The American Chestnut Foundation
The American Chestnut Foundation’s (TACF) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Michael Goergen has been appointed as the organization’s new President & CEO and will begin in mid-September 2025. He will succeed interim President & CEO Bruce Levine. A...
Science Strategies
Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biodiversity
United for Restoration
The American Chestnut Foundation takes a holistic approach toward chestnut restoration, utilizing a three-pronged research strategy known as 3BUR (Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biodiversity, United for Restoration). These research tracks are implemented through mutually beneficial collaborations, so we can explore all avenues to reach the common goal of saving and restoring this species as quickly as possible.
Find us on Facebook
TACF is hiring both a Mid-Atlantic and Southern Regional Science Coordinator! Support volunteer-led science programs, work hands-on with chestnut restoration, and connect regional chapters with national research efforts. If you have experience with tree breeding and selection programs, leading volunteer events, orchard management, or are passionate about the return of American chestnut to its native range, we encourage you to apply.
The link to apply and more details can be found here: tacf.org/employment/
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Lesesne State Forest is 422 acres, and lies next to Three Ridges Wilderness Area in Nelson County, VA. TACF and VA Department of Forestry partner in managing and breeding chestnuts here for restoration. TACF hosted our partners and national board members on a tour of the orchard in mid-November.
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This beautiful state forest is a must-visit for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts!
Going here for the first time, seeing all the big American Chestnuts and also watching Bill Deeter 's videos and pictures of his trees convinced me that it is possible to breed resistance into American chestnuts! We got this folks
Wow that one looks great. Mine that’s maybe 20 years old has blight bad 🙁
We’re on the Naturally Scott Podcast!
Our President & CEO sat down with Scott to talk about the past, present, and future of the American chestnut — from its historic role in Appalachia to the cutting-edge science driving restoration today.
- Why the roots never died
- The cutting-edge science behind restoration
- Why volunteers and donors are leading this effort
Watch the full episode now and join us in bringing back America’s iconic tree:
www.youtube.com/@NaturallyScott
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naturallyscott/id1830513032
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🐛 Large silk moth caterpillar native to North America, not a threatened species fairly common *but beautiful.
🌳 Tree is a wild American chestnut planted for a PRR fungicide trial in Clemson, SC.
Photo credit: Celeste Giles, Research Associate with the Plant and Environment Sciences Department at Clemson
#americanchestnut #explore #nature #bugs #chestnuts #caterpillar
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Can you tell us more about the PRR fungicide trial?
So cool. Curious if the funguscide harms the catepillar and insects?
Speaking of threat, our local university has discovered the chestnut weevil is not extinct as was thought. www.actionnews5.com/2025/12/08/uofm-researchers-rediscover-weevil-believed-be-extinct-thanks-phot...
In celebration of GivingTuesday, TACF’s Board of Directors and President & CEO Michael Goergen came together to issue a matching gift challenge. The original goal was $5,000, but because of their collective passion and generosity a total of $18,125 has been raised, making the impact of your gift even greater. If that amount is reached, it will double to $36,250! Visit the link in our bio to donate.
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Upcoming Events
This training provides an overview of TACF's Dentatabase, where we track orchards and trees across the range. This training is designed for chapter leaders, volunteers, and partner organizations who […]
Winter Quarterly Board Meeting (Zoom only) Saturday : January 24th, 2026 : 9AM-12PM Zoom link coming! Happy New Year! All are welcome to our virtual meeting - stay warm at […]