Maryland Chapter

Sugarloaf Mountain Orchard

The Maryland Chapter operates an orchard at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain in cooperation with Stronghold, Inc., which owns the mountain. Two orchards were started in 1970 with irradiated nuts. The orchards are described as the East Field and the West Field.   The West Field orchard is no longer in use.

East Field – Originally planted in 1970 with an estimated 1000 irradiated seeds. Most have succumbed to chestnut blight and phytophthora. However, some  27 remaining trees have been used as mother trees in our breeding program.  Also, a backcross orchard of BC3 seeds (Manahan 41 x AG247) and an experimental orchard to study hypovirulence were planted in 2007 . However, most of these trees have been killed by the blight, phytophthora or deer.

To see an article on the chestnuts of Sugarloaf Mountain by Essie Burnworth, click here.

Address:
7901 Comus Road, Dickerson, Montgomery County

Contacts:
The Propers – Stewards
David Webster – Executive Secretary, Stronghold Inc.

Challenges: Deer, Phytophthora, gall wasps, vines.

East Field Location:

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🐛 Large silk moth caterpillar native to North America, not a threatened species fairly common *but beautiful.
🌳 Tree is a wild American chestnut planted for a PRR fungicide trial in Clemson, SC.

Photo credit: Celeste Giles, Research Associate with the Plant and Environment Sciences Department at Clemson
#americanchestnut #explore #nature #bugs #Chestnuts #caterpillar
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🐛 Large silk moth caterpillar native to North America, not a threatened species fairly common *but beautiful.🌳 Tree is a wild American chestnut planted for a PRR fungicide trial in Clemson, SC.Photo credit: Celeste Giles, Research Associate with the Plant and Environment Sciences Department at Clemson #americanchestnut #explore #nature #bugs #chestnuts #caterpillarImage attachmentImage attachment

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Can you tell us more about the PRR fungicide trial?

In celebration of GivingTuesday, TACF’s Board of Directors and President & CEO Michael Goergen came together to issue a matching gift challenge. The original goal was $5,000, but because of their collective passion and generosity a total of $18,125 has been raised, making the impact of your gift even greater. If that amount is reached, it will double to $36,250! Visit the link in our bio to donate. ... See MoreSee Less

In celebration of GivingTuesday, TACF’s Board of Directors and President & CEO Michael Goergen came together to issue a matching gift challenge. The original goal was $5,000, but because of their collective passion and generosity a total of $18,125 has been raised, making the impact of your gift even greater. If that amount is reached, it will double to $36,250! Visit the link in our bio to donate.

Join the VA chapter for a science presentation, orchard tour and seed give away! This meeting is open to the public and will take place on December 6th at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve from 1pm-4pm.
Stop by and get some free wild-type American chestnut seeds!
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Join the VA chapter for a science presentation, orchard tour and seed give away! This meeting is open to the public and will take place on December 6th at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve from 1pm-4pm.Stop by and get some free wild-type American chestnut seeds!

5 CommentsComment on Facebook

What kind of American chestnut seeds?

Very cool! Have fun everyone who can go!

their is one kind only

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We are thankful for each and everyone of you! ... See MoreSee Less

We are thankful for each and everyone of you!

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

Someday hope there will be enough trees to give chestnuts to make dressing.

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁🥧🦃🍂

Follow us to learn more about the blight and what to do if this happens to a tree near you! ... See MoreSee Less

17 CommentsComment on Facebook

I believe I have a few resistant chestnut trees that have produced their second crop of seeds . They are descendants of those once in living in .Valley Garden Park

The American Chestnut Foundation. If we don't figure out the tree of heaven problem then we won't have anything but ailanthus altissima and your research will be a waste.

Send me few, I'll plant them

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