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.

Your
Support
Matters

Please support the 2024 End of Year Appeal

Thanks to thousands of dedicated members and supporters like you, we continue to make progress restoring the American chestnut. The first season of the Recurrent Genomic Selection (RGS) breeding program was implemented this summer, but we need your support to see it through. Your generosity makes all the difference. Thank you!

Now Streaming

CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut is now available for public viewing! For just $10, you will receive unlimited views and the ability to watch on multiple devices and to download.

All proceeds support the film’s production costs and The American Chestnut Foundation’s mission to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.

Clear Day Thunder movie poster

Science Strategies

Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biocontrol
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 Biocontrol United for Restoration). These research tracks are meant to be integrated through collaborations that are mutually beneficial, so we can explore all avenues to reach the common goal of saving and restoring this species as quickly as possible.

Support Our Research

How to identify an American chestnut tree

Learn how to identify American chestnuts and send us a sample for identification.

Support The Restoration

How to receive seeds & seedlings

Learn how to get American chestnut seeds and seedlings from TACF.

Latest News

TACF Unveils New Brand

TACF Unveils New Brand

TACF Unveils New Brand to Celebrate 40+ Years of American Chestnut RestorationAsheville, NC 9/5/2024 The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is thrilled to announce the launch of its new brand, marking a significant milestone in its more than 40-year journey dedicated...

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Learn More About TACF’s Research Advisory Council

Learn More About TACF’s Research Advisory Council

Over the course of The American Chestnut Foundation’s 41 years, the organization has consistently sought external scientific expertise to ensure that its programming and progress are on track.To reach this goal, The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) holds two bodies...

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Find us on Facebook

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Visit the RAK brewing company on Tuesday, November 12th for this exciting chestnut-related event!

As part of the November Nature on Tap Speaker Series event, Bruce Levine, board member of the MD Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation, will be speaking about the American chestnut.

You'll learn about the rise & fall of the American chestnut, including the history of the American chestnut, why they have become functionally extinct, and the breeding efforts being done by TACF to rescue it.

Location: RAK Brewing Co, 400 Sagner Ave, 100, Frederick, MD 21701
Date and time: Tue, Nov 12, 2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Pre-register to get 15% off your tab!

lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/pj3mntu
... See MoreSee Less

Visit the RAK brewing company on Tuesday, November 12th for this exciting chestnut-related event! 

As part of the November Nature on Tap Speaker Series event, Bruce Levine, board member of the MD Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation, will be speaking about the American chestnut. 

Youll learn about the rise & fall of the American chestnut, including the history of the American chestnut, why they have become functionally extinct, and the breeding efforts being done by TACF to rescue it.

Location: RAK Brewing Co, 400 Sagner Ave, 100, Frederick, MD 21701
Date and time: Tue, Nov 12, 2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

 Pre-register to get 15% off your tab!

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/pj3mntu

In a recent Virginia Tech News story titled Examining Chestnut Blight in Local Forests, students from a forest health class explored hybrid resistance to chestnut blight at a restoration orchard near John’s Creek. Engaging with experts from The American Chestnut Foundation and the Virginia Department of Forestry, students gained hands-on experience in assessing tree health and understanding breeding programs—skills crucial for their future roles in forest and ecosystem management. View the news story here. news.vt.edu/videos/k/2024/10/1_0nsj1kv8.html ... See MoreSee Less

In a recent Virginia Tech News story titled Examining Chestnut Blight in Local Forests, students from a forest health class explored hybrid resistance to chestnut blight at a restoration orchard near John’s Creek. Engaging with experts from The American Chestnut Foundation and the Virginia Department of Forestry, students gained hands-on experience in assessing tree health and understanding breeding programs—skills crucial for their future roles in forest and ecosystem management. View the news story here. https://news.vt.edu/videos/k/2024/10/1_0nsj1kv8.html

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

Why do these seeds cost so much???

Has anyone located a natural strain that is resistant at all?

With your support, this year’s raffle of two handcrafted Kasumi® Damascus chef knives with American chestnut handles raffle raised more than $27,000!

Congratulations to the winners Jeffrey Monaco and Natalie Harper, and thanks to everyone who participated.

Many thanks also to Antique River Logs for generously supplying these unique and extremely rare raffle items.
... See MoreSee Less

With your support, this year’s raffle of two handcrafted Kasumi® Damascus chef knives with American chestnut handles raffle raised more than $27,000! 

Congratulations to the winners Jeffrey Monaco and Natalie Harper, and thanks to everyone who participated.

Many thanks also to Antique River Logs for generously supplying these unique and extremely rare raffle items.

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Many thanks to William Joiner at Antique River Logs for donating these beautiful knives. www.antiqueriverlogs.com

Meet Taz! Taz is a 3.5-year-old Blue Heeler who wreaks havoc every day. She belongs to TACF's Director of Business Operations, Mark. Mark retired from the U.S. Army after 21 years in 2014. After retiring, he followed his wife and children to Asheville, NC. ... See MoreSee Less

The article covers the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) and The American Chestnut Foundation’s (TACF) efforts to restore the American chestnut at Lesesne State Forest. It describes three chestnut orchards: the Connecticut Hybrid Seed Orchard, American Orchard, and Backcross Hybrid Orchard. Each orchard holds genetically distinct trees, contributing to blight resistance research and breeding. Future projects aim to preserve chestnut genetic diversity through further cross-breeding and conservation. For further details, see the original article here: www.associationpublications.com/flipbook/vfa/2024/Summer/8/#zoom=true ... See MoreSee Less

The article covers the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) and The American Chestnut Foundation’s (TACF) efforts to restore the American chestnut at Lesesne State Forest. It describes three chestnut orchards: the Connecticut Hybrid Seed Orchard, American Orchard, and Backcross Hybrid Orchard. Each orchard holds genetically distinct trees, contributing to blight resistance research and breeding. Future projects aim to preserve chestnut genetic diversity through further cross-breeding and conservation. For further details, see the original article here: https://www.associationpublications.com/flipbook/vfa/2024/Summer/8/#zoom=true

1 CommentComment on Facebook

The American Chestnut Foundation I’m looking at planting a few American chestnuts- resistant. Who has them for sale?

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Upcoming Events

11:00AM - 2:30PM

The Board of Directors will meet 11:00 am - 1:00 pm, followed by the Annual General Membership Meeting at 1:30 pm. Both meetings will be accessible by Zoom for those […]

12:00PM - 6:00PM

Join us for the 2nd annual celebration of the mighty Chestnut! Chestnut roasting, tasting, many foods incorporating chestnuts, chestnut drinks, chestnut info, sapling sales, relax under mature chestnut trees. You […]