Maryland News

Beltsville orchard appeal

The Maryland Chapter is trying to save our Beltsville orchard. The USDA has announced its desire to shut down or repurpose the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), putting TACF’s important chestnut orchard at risk.  One of the major challenges to American chestnut restoration is Phytophthora root rot, or PRR, a soil-borne disease that is especially damaging in the southern and mid-Atlantic portions of the native range.
This orchard is valuable because the trees are growing in soil naturally affected by PRR. In other words, they are being tested under real-world disease pressure.
The orchard includes chestnut hybrids with predominantly American chestnut ancestry that have shown PRR resistance. Some of these trees may begin flowering in the next few years and could become an important source of disease-resistant seed for restoration work.   Because BARC may be decommissioned or repurposed, TACF could lose access to this orchard.  It would be a major loss to lose access to these trees.
We are asking members and volunteers to contact their members of Congress and ask them to support continued access to the BARC chestnut orchard and preservation of this important living research and restoration resource.
Here’s an Instagram video link discussing the problem.

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This excellent article takes a deep dive into the history of the American chestnut, the science driving restoration efforts, and the communities helping make recovery possible. Be sure to read the perspectives shared by TACF Director of Science Jared Westbrook, Board Member Jim Searing, and PA/NJ Chapter member Mike Aucott. 🌳🌰

Read the article: rivertownsmagazine.com/stories/the-return-of-the-american-chestnut-tree,146154

#americanchestnut #forestry #forestrestoration #citizenscience #conservation
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This excellent article takes a deep dive into the history of the American chestnut, the science driving restoration efforts, and the communities helping make recovery possible. Be sure to read the perspectives shared by TACF Director of Science Jared Westbrook, Board Member Jim Searing, and PA/NJ Chapter member Mike Aucott. 🌳🌰Read the article: https://rivertownsmagazine.com/stories/the-return-of-the-american-chestnut-tree,146154  #AmericanChestnut #Forestry #ForestRestoration #CitizenScience #Conservation

5 CommentsComment on Facebook

Lauren Celentano you need some chestnuts

I am going to try to grow a few for my home. My son has chestnut tree in MD, and he is sending me some nuts.

Any chance they would grow in Cedar City, UT?

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The 2026 American Chestnut Symposium is taking shape! The current schedule is live, featuring expert presentations, panel discussions, restoration updates, networking opportunities, and field tours designed to bring our community together around the future of American chestnut restoration

Have research, restoration work, or a project to share? Consider participating in the poster session and connecting with fellow scientists, volunteers, conservation professionals, and chestnut enthusiasts.

Learn more, explore the schedule, and register today at tacf.org/2026-american-chestnut-symposium/

#forestrestoration #conservation #forestry #nativespecies #americanchestnut
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The 2026 American Chestnut Symposium is taking shape! The current schedule is live, featuring expert presentations, panel discussions, restoration updates, networking opportunities, and field tours designed to bring our community together around the future of American chestnut restorationHave research, restoration work, or a project to share? Consider participating in the poster session and connecting with fellow scientists, volunteers, conservation professionals, and chestnut enthusiasts.Learn more, explore the schedule, and register today at https://tacf.org/2026-american-chestnut-symposium/ #ForestRestoration #Conservation #Forestry #NativeSpecies #AmericanChestnutImage attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment

1 CommentComment on Facebook

I will do my best to make it!

What a difference a neighbor can make. 🌳🌳 Our Director of Communications, Jules Smith, recently visited a 10+ year-old hybrid American chestnut covered in burs. Just out of frame is another hybrid chestnut that helped pollinate the tree, resulting in an impressive crop of nuts this year. It's a small but encouraging glimpse of what's possible as we work toward restoring this iconic species. #AmericanChestnut #Trees #Conservation #Nature #RestorationForestry ... See MoreSee Less

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I heard one of the possible mistakes of the original disease progression of chestnut blight was taking all trees down with signs of blight and not giving trees a chance to demonstrate some resistance. Not sure if that was accurate but it's food for thought as we try to bring them back

So the hybrid trees still get the blight, but can survive it? Rather than just not getting it?

It looks like it's time is limited - lots of yellow leaves . Kind of looks like our elm trees !

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What a wonderful day at TimberFest! 🌰

We enjoyed connecting with visitors and sharing TACF's mission alongside others who are passionate about forestry and conservation. One of the day's highlights was the unveiling of a chainsaw-carved statue exhibit crafted from trees brought down by Hurricane Helene.

As an organization who's national office is rooted in western North Carolina, it was especially meaningful to see these trees incorporated into an exhibit that honors both the impact of the storm and the resilience of our region. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn more about American chestnut restoration and the future of our forests.

#AmericanChestnut #ForestRestoration #Forestry #Conservation #WNC #Explore
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What a wonderful day at TimberFest! 🌰 We enjoyed connecting with visitors and sharing TACFs mission alongside others who are passionate about forestry and conservation. One of the days highlights was the unveiling of a chainsaw-carved statue exhibit crafted from trees brought down by Hurricane Helene. As an organization whos national office is rooted in western North Carolina, it was especially meaningful to see these trees incorporated into an exhibit that honors both the impact of the storm and the resilience of our region. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn more about American chestnut restoration and the future of our forests.#AmericanChestnut #ForestRestoration #Forestry #Conservation #WNC #ExploreImage attachmentImage attachment+5Image attachment

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Was this at the Cradle of Forestry?

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