Contact us at gro.fcat@retpahCNI
Our Mission
To restore the American chestnut tree to its native range within the woodlands of the eastern United States, using a scientific research and breeding program developed by its founders.
The American Chestnut Foundation is restoring a species – and in the process, creating a template for restoration of other tree and plant species.
The Indiana Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation is tasked with developing regionally adapted families of American chestnut trees (ie, specific to Indiana mother trees) and other state-related tasks.
The Indiana Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation is tasked with developing regionally adapted families of American chestnut trees (ie, specific to Indiana mother trees) and other state-related tasks.
Meadowview (TACF’s main orchard in Virginia) harvested its first blight-resistant nuts in 2005. Indiana has 2 completed families and has begun reforestation trials with potentially blight-resistant American-type trees, using sound ecological principles. The return of the American chestnut to its former niche in the Appalachian hardwood forest eco-system is a major restoration project that requires a multi-faceted effort involving 6,000 members and volunteers, research, sustained funding and most important, a sense of the past and a hope for the future.
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National Facebook
Last week, staff at TACF’s national office in Asheville joined Carolinas Chapter President Peggy McDonald, husband Bob, and Chapter board member Jon Taylor for a hike at Albert Mountain in Western NC to visit wild American chestnut trees in search of flowering catkins.
During their venture, the team also came across a few cool amphibians: a red-legged salamander, which only inhabits portions of the southern Appalachian Mountains, and a red-spotted newt, which is much more common, but its brilliant red is stunning!
Of course, the biggest thrill was seeing large surviving chestnut trees and, as the day wrapped up, collecting some beautiful catkins that were high in the canopy of a tree on the way down the mountain. Pollen collected from the catkins will be used in TACF’s southern region breeding program.
#hike #nature #getoutside #americanchestnut #pollination
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Fantastic
what pole was that!?
Trying to figure out if you found an American chestnut or a Chinese chestnut? These identifiers should help!
#explore #forestry #education #americanchestnut #conservation
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
I love it when the music is up front and the narration is in the background. Awesome.
BeeKeeper Mango
Every business in every city should have to plant a tree every year as part of their yearly licensing.
Do you have a favorite nature quote?
#explore #americanchestnut #nature #Quote #restoration
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.” Henry David Thoreau
Im hoping to see this in my lifetime
Chestnuts look so beautiful during pollination season, their catkins (the yellow fuzzy blossoms) are often described as fireworks. 🌰 🎇
Which image is your favorite?
#americanchestnut #fieldwork #nature #pollination #explore
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Catkins in my yard are buzzing with bees!
Wow. Way more explosive looking than the European chestnuts. Beekeepers should be all over that. It’s the most distinct honey I’ve ever had.  As for the aroma… Well… Enough said.
I have tended those trees. MD TACF, join us!
Latest News
Indiana Chapter Annual Meeting
This year the Indiana Chapter of TACF will hold an in-person annual meeting. The date is January 14, 2023. The location is the Fitness Farm of Indianapolis. Our chapter science officer, Jim McKenna, has generously arranged for us to use a room at Fitness Farm at no...
Pure American chestnut harvest at Duke orchard
Duke orchard is a germplasm conservation orchard started with a generous contribution from Duke Energy Company. Many of the trees have produced nuts for a number of years. Some years pollen is applied in spring to produce controlled crosses. This year the trees were...
New germplasm conservation orchard (GCO) in Clinton county
This orchard was established three years ago to preserve the genetic material of the Indiana American chestnuts at the Duke orchard at Purdue. The Duke trees were all cloned from old existing chestnuts from all over Indiana. Unfortunately, the Duke chestnuts have all...