Carolinas News

Pollination Day at the Chestnut Return Farm, Seneca, SC, June 12, 2025

Pollination of chestnut trees at the Chestnut Return Farm.

Participants included TACF’s Jamie Van Clief, Clemson University Professor Dr. Haiying Liang and four of her PhD students Sky, Jay, Roger and Amanda, plus Jamie’s summer intern, Mateo Craven, a student from Warren Wilson College.
What was the purpose of the pollinations at the Chestnut Return Farm? Jamie said, “We were making crosses on genomic selected trees for the first generation of the Recurrent Genomic Selection for both PRR and blight resistance!”

 

Intern Mateo Craven inspects chestnut branches.

Intern Mateo Craven inspects chestnut branches.

 

Jamie Van Clief giving instructions for pollinations of mature female flowers.

Jamie Van Clief giving instructions for pollination of mature female flowers.

 

Students actively pollinating female chestnut flowers at the Chestnut Return Orchard.

Students actively pollinating female chestnut flowers in the Chestnut Return Orchard.

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🍂 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
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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. ... See MoreSee Less

These beautiful backcross seedlings from TACFs Meadowview Research Farms are hanging out in our Asheville office looking pretty in the sunlight.Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

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. ... See MoreSee Less

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

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🎃 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 ... See MoreSee Less

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