Resources and Programs
Information for Chestnut Growers
A.T. MEGA-Transect Chestnut Project
TACF Grower’s List – A way to communicate with other American chestnut restoration growers about issues related to growing chestnuts – link to Penn State web site
Planting Time is Coming! – Guidelines for starting seedlings
TACF Resources – link to TACF resources web page
Hypovirulence Resources – MD Chapter web page
Grafting Resources – MD Chapter web page
Penn State Chestnut Growers Website – Everything a chestnut grower needs to know and much more, including back issues of the TACF Journal and other publications in pdf format.
Teaching Materials
Lesson Plans and Class Materials
The American Chestnut Tree Story
A short pamphlet designed for 4H middle school students. It contains information about the American chestnut tree, a children’s story and other information.
Lesson Plans by Shelley Casey – NSF Kenan Fellows Program at NCSU
Students will study how biotechnology is being used to develop a blight resistant tree. They will engage in hands-on activities that have students apply their knowledge of DNA and genetics to simulate the steps needed to find the genes for resistance and insert them into an American Chestnut tree. Lessons are designed to be used for any level of Biology student and do not require high tech equipment.
A great resource for classroom use, with good photos and basic information along with an introduction to some advanced scientific work.
From the Woods – Chestnut Brochure
This four-page, full-color publication tells the history of American Chestnut, the blight that wiped it out, and research on blight resistant chestnut trees. It is part of an educational series for youth (2004).
Games for Kids
Fun games kids can play while learning about the American chestnut. Downloadable pdf files.
Charlie Chestnut Workbook Labels
Created by Pennsylvania Chapter volunteer Doris Goldman.
Additional Resources
Resources for Data Collectors
Please download and print the map(s) and corresponding count report form(s):
Virginia and north:
http://sfr.psu.edu/public/chestnut/reports/mega-transect/at-maps
South of Virginia:
Other Forms:
Large Tree Chestnut Report – 2013
Large Tree Table Report – 2013
Count Report Form – 2013 (Use only if large tree report or table are not available)
A.T. National Park Research Permit
Virginia Chapter Menu
National Facebook
Today was the last day of controlled pollinations in the southern region. Many thanks to the NC/SC Chapter members who came out to help!
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you for your hard work!
I'm in south Arkansas. We had miniature Chestnut call chink a pin which got wiped out in the 50s. I have found two this spring 2025. They are small.
Hello, is this a chestnut tree?
This summer, we’re aiming to produce 1,000 hand-pollinated nuts for our genomic-assisted breeding program, and each one is a vital step toward restoring the American chestnut.
Producing a single nut takes time, tools, and teamwork. From pollination to harvest, every step is a vital part of the process to ensure that each nut has the best chance possible to grow into a more blight-resistant tree.
Here’s what goes into a single $25 nut:
Pollination Bag: $5
Hand Pollination Process: $5
Harvesting the Nut: $5
Shucking & Storing: $5
Equipment & Fuel: $5
Total per Nut: $25
By supporting just one nut, you’re helping us bring the American chestnut back to our forests. Support a handful, and you’re helping to rebuild an entire ecosystem.
This nutty campaign only runs from June 3 to 23, and we’ve got 1,000 nuts to grow. Join us!
support.tacf.org/nuts
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
Howdy. He have four American Chestnuts together, growing opposite of several Chinese. They are about 20 years old. An interesting study.
Can you advise on the percentage of success of these nuts to generating a nut producing tree? I’m working on restoring 80 acres and would like to attempt to have some American dominant gene trees on the property that produce nuts but don’t want to take the risk of $100 for four nuts to only find out the percentage of success is still relatively small. Sorry for the likely noob question
Question, why don’t you just plant the seeds/trees in an orchard and let nature pollinate them? That would reduce the cost exponentially and sell the seeds by the bag full? So people can then plant them in mass? Also, Why only 1000 seeds when one tree can produce more than that?
There are two work opportunities on June 7, 2025 for members of the WV Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation.
The first is at the U.S. Forest Service property at 459 Nursery Bottom Road, Parsons. Work will begin at 10:00AM at the 'American Chestnut' sign. We will lay out spots for a 100-tree orchard that will be planted next spring. We also will weed the existing orchard and conduct other miscellaneous tasks. Bring gloves, water and lunch. A bathroom is available.
The second opportunity is at Jennings Randolph Lake north of Elk Garden in Mineral County. Forty American chestnut trees will be planted at the Roger Craig campground. Work will begin at 9:00 am. Bring gloves, water and a snack. This work is conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
If you are available to assist at either of these two work sites, it will be much appreciated.
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What an incredible tree the American chestnut was! As The American Chestnut Foundations continues its decades-long work to restore this species, we welcome you to join the cause!
Become a member, volunteer with your local chapter, or simply spread the word about this incredible tree. Visit support.tacf.org/membership to get started.
24 CommentsComment on Facebook
They can bring back a dead wolf from hundreds of years ago but they won’t bring back something useful like the American chestnut
I still have the audubon society, saying my chestnut tree, horse chestnut, has the largest girth in the state of michigan... The tree is gone, but the stump is still standing there.Proud.
And they are all gone because of humans