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.
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🌰 "The evolving story of New Jersey’s chestnuts" by Alison Mitchell
Check out this article that features insights from our North Central Regional Science Coordinator, Lake Graboski, and also highlights New Jersey Nut Farms’ separate hybridization efforts—showing the range of work underway to bring back the American chestnut.
Click the following link to view the full story: www.newsbreak.com/south-jersey-media-302714994/4444458578919-the-evolving-story-of-new-jersey-s-c...
#americanchestnuts #nature #chestnuts #restoration #conservation #quote #article #explorepage
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Learn more about this remarkable standing American chestnut in the article “We The People: How Iowa Is Part of the Effort to Save the Rare American Chestnut Tree.” Courtesy of Grace Vance and KCRG.
Visit: www.ktiv.com/2026/01/12/we-people-how-iowa-is-part-effort-save-rare-american-chestnut-tree/
#americanchestnut #chestnuts #restoration #conservation #explorepage
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Georgia has a stand of chestnut trees in a secret location. Can they borrow some pollen from this tree to add to their breeding collection? They need a varied gene pool for the future.
A guy named Bill Deeter has just recently observed that trees that have crown gall seem to be warding off the blight. Im really hoping that this will bring back the longevity of the American Chestnut
My Neighbors have a vet old chestnut tree - they have contacted several conservation groups about getting a sapling of a second . So it would produce chestnuts once again-
A month ago, our President and CEO, Michael Goergen, got to visit the New York Botanical Garden and see the original documentation of chestnut blight taken from a tree in the Bronx Zoo. Feeling a sense of inspiration from the experience, Michael wrote, "Holding that bark brings both grief and resolve. Grief for what was lost. Resolve for the work ahead.
Because for the first time since 1905, we are no longer documenting decline.
We are documenting return.
The American chestnut is not a memory. It is a restoration mission and The American Chestnut Foundation is building the tools and partnerships to finish what Merkel, Murrill, and others could not.
Seeing the original blight records didn’t make the work feel more challenging. It made it feel inevitable.
Restoration is the next chapter. We get to write it."
#explorepage #americanchestnut #history #chestnuts #learn #nature #forestry #trees #blight #restoration #conservation
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Whoo hoo! Sorry, you were not the first to know this. The Chestnut Lady.
Our New England Regional Science Coordinator, Deni Ranguelova, made an appearance on the podcast "Across the Fence" to discuss the American chestnut tree and why we are working to restore them.
Check out the podcast on Youtube at youtu.be/c9EeOc5WIaE?si=80CQtoY4-qeQhjtI
#americanchestnut #chestnuts #podcast #history #restoration #conservation #nature #forestry #explorepage
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So like Covid?
This was all because someone in upstate Delaware thought it would be a good idea to grow a Chinese chestnut in their yard so they could show it off to their friends.
😂
New year, new opportunities! Now’s the perfect time to get involved with the American chestnut. 🌱
Check out our January & February events and join the movement!
Visit out events calendar for more info on each event
#americanchestnut #events #volunteer #pennsylvania #castaneapa #Maine #rhodeisland #pennstate #chestnuts #explorepage
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Upcoming Events
Winter Quarterly Board Meeting (Zoom only)Saturday : January 24th, 2026 : 9AM-12PM Happy New Year! All are welcome to our virtual meeting - stay warm at home for this one.Please […]
Rediscover the American Chestnut Tree & Castanea's Heritage Featuring over 30 Vendors & Exhibitors 3 Major Food Booths (chestnut-flavored options) Craft Beer Live Music Roasted Chestnuts Ice-Skating Rink S'mores LION […]