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.
Chestnut Chat is Back!
Up Next: Balancing High-Flying Ideas and Grounded Methods for Faster Genetic Gain
Join us on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (EPT), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat webinar.
Our special guest, Dr. Jessica Rutkoski, is a small grains breeder with a talent for explaining the fundamentals of breeding and quantitative genetics. In her talk, she will describe how modern tools such as genomic selection and high-throughput phenotyping can speed up improvement for multiple traits—and how these technologies can be effectively applied to TACF’s American chestnut breeding program. Jessica is a quantitative geneticist and leads the winter wheat breeding program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
One Tree, Many Hands
As the end of the year approaches, we celebrate the power of working together to restore the American chestnut. This historic effort takes more than one person or one organization; it requires many hands. Your gift will fuel breakthrough scientific research, including the recurrent genomic selection (RGS) program, help establish and care for restoration plantings, and inspire the next generation of conservation leaders. Together, we can ensure the American chestnut reclaims its rightful place in our forests.
Please support our End of Year Appeal!
Want to see an American chestnut in the wild?
Watch our new video to learn how easy it is to find American chestnuts in the wild with iNaturalist. All it takes is your phone, a few free apps, and a sense of wonder. Once you spot your first wild chestnut, you’ll be hooked!
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!
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.
2025 American Chestnut Photo Contest
Grab your camera and hit the trails—the American Chestnut Photo Contest is back! We’re looking for striking, creative, and unique images of American chestnut trees and hybrids.
The first-place winner will have their photo featured on the cover of a future issue of Chestnut magazine and receive a one-year TACF membership, along with a T-shirt and hat. Open until December 31, 2025
2024 Winner: Blue-gray gnatcatcher chicks in an American chestnut backcross tree, by Anna Rose at Berry College, GA
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
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...
End of an Era: Honoring Sara Fitzsimmons’ Remarkable Journey with TACF
Thank You, Sara: Celebrating Over 20 Years of Passion and LeadershipAfter more than two decades with The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), Chief Conservation Officer Sara Fern Fitzsimmons has accepted a new role as Technologies for Agriculture and Living Systems...
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.
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
🍂 As autumn arrives, chestnut trees at TACF’s Meadowview Research Farms enter dormancy, leaves turning gold and brown before falling. This cozy pause is nature’s renewal, while staff use the time to plan, prepare, and continually refine methods across the field, nursery, and lab. Dormancy sets the stage for a strong spring and a year of progress in chestnut science. 🌳
#fall #chestnuts #americanchestnutfoundation #americanchestnut
1 CommentComment on Facebook
I have two American chestnut trees in my yard in Delaware. The one is leaning bad and needs to be cut down. I would someone to contact me for you guys can get seeds and limbs
Chestnut shortbread, anyone? In the latest issue of Chestnut magazine, staff member Angus shares his recipe for shortbread topped with black walnut spread. Watch the full recipe video on YouTube and see it in print in our members-only magazine!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTW0m0R8UF4&feature=youtu.be
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These beautiful backcross seedlings from TACF's Meadowview Research Farms are hanging out in our Asheville office looking pretty in the sunlight.
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Love the trees
Looking pretty…pretty Chinese. 😞
I sent a membership in and have heard nothing back, did you steal my money?
Chestnut season may be winding down, but the thrill of finding these hidden treasures never gets old.
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
Will Chestnut trees grow in the North?
I have several chestnut trees on my farm and they produce every year. I know the wildlife loves them. 
Wish mine would start producing
🎃 From all of us at Meadowview Research Farms, have a spook-tacular Halloween! May your night be free of blight and all things weevil (not evil!)—and full of chestnut cheer. 🌰👻 We’re brewing up serious science in our cauldrons to bring the American chestnut back from the dead—no tricks, just treats for the next forest! 🌳🧪 #HappyHalloween #ChestnutRestoration
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Upcoming Events
You are invited to attend The American Chestnut Foundation's annual Fall Board Meeting on November 15th, 2025, from 4:00 to 5:30 PM via Zoom! Zoom Information Topic: TACF Fall Board […]
Join us in the heart of New York's Hudson Valley to learn from local vendors, growers, and educators about the deliciousness, resilience, and diversity of Northeastern nuts. Two TACF science […]
Balancing High-Flying Ideas and Grounded Methods for Faster Genetic GainJoin us on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Eastern), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat.Our special […]