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2026 CT-TACF Chestnut Harvest Schedule

The current chestnut harvest schedule is subject to weather or postponement for other reasons.  Cancellations and updates will be posted to our Chapter webpage https://tacf.org/ct/about-us/.  It is recommended to bring thick leather gloves or two pair of work gloves that can be doubled up to be able to handle the spiny burs.  Some work gloves will be available but may not be enough for everyone. Reply if you need more information or directions.  additional harvests are still being planned in Chaplin, Woodstock and Middletown, so check the website or reply to this email if you are interested in volunteering at one of those locations.

Thursday, September 17th – 9 AM – Woodbridge Backcross Orchard, Fitzgerald Tract, Beecher Rd. Woodbridge.
Thursday, September 17th – 12 Noon – Hamden, CAES Lockwood Farms and Sleeping Giant Orchards.  Meet at the Lockwood Farms Pavillion, 890 Evergreen Ave,
Saturday, September 19th – 9 AM, Salem backcross orchard. Private property so reply for directions if you can help.
Sunday, September 20th – 3 PM – Ellington, Swann Farm Orchard, across from 124 Reeves Rd.
Wednesday, September 23rd – 5:30 PM – Essex, Cross Lots Preserve, 40 West Ave.
Thursday, September 24th – 10 AM – Manchester, Bush Hill Preserve GCO, 330 Bush Hill Rd. (Harvest and orchard maintenance).
Tuesday, September 29th – 3:30 PM – Falls Village, Great Mountain Forest Orchard, across from 392 Under Mountain Rd., Canaan.
Tuesday, September 29th – 5:30 PM – Litchfield, LHAS Wigwam Brook Preserve, Lipeika Rd.

Chestnut Shucking Pot Luck

Join us on Saturday, October 3rd at the CT Forest & Park Offices, 16 Meriden Rd., Rockfall, anytime from Noon to 6 PM to help us shuck the burs and collect the chestnuts.  Bring any dish, chestnut themed or not.  Bring a double layer of work gloves or leather gloves to handle the burs and anything that can help pry the burs apart (screwdriver, hand pruners, pliers, or other implements of destruction work well). More information and directions are on our website https://tacf.org/event/ct-tacf-annual-chestnut-shucking-potluck/.

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The American Chestnut Foundation
2 days ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

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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The American Chestnut Foundation
7 days ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

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 ... See MoreSee Less

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
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Was this at the Cradle of Forestry?

The American Chestnut Foundation
2 weeks ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

We love our Bonner Scholars!Thank you, Bonner Scholars!
As we head into the fall semester, we want to take a moment to recognize and thank our wonderful Bonner Scholars for their time, hard work, and dedication to Meadowview Research Farms last spring semester! We are especially grateful to Gabbie and Maddy who graduated from Emory & Henry this past spring, who each served with The American Chestnut Foundation for more than two years. Their commitment and contributions have made a lasting impact on our research farm, and we are so thankful for all they have done! We also want to recognize Carson, who joined us last spring and has been an important part of our team. We’re excited that Carson will be continuing to serve with us this semester.
Thank you, Gabbie, Maddy, and Carson, for all of your hard work and for being such an important part of the Meadowview family. We wish Gabbie and Maddy all the best in their next adventures, and we’re excited to have Carson continuing on with us!
And an additional thanks to Meadowview Research Farms' Tree Improvement Scientist, Lucinda Wigfield, for her outstanding coordination and supervision of this important student group!
#americanchestnut #castaneadentata #americanchestnutfoundation #ChestnutResearch #meadowviewresearchfarms ... See MoreSee Less

We love our Bonner Scholars!
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The American Chestnut Foundation
2 weeks ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

The mysterious voice in this video might be onto something... 👀🌰

Looking for a research project idea? The American chestnut has plenty of unanswered questions waiting to be explored.

If your project touches on chestnut restoration, genetics, blight, ecology, biotechnology, history, or another chestnut-related topic, consider sharing your work at the TACF 2026 Symposium Poster Session.

Give your research an audience beyond the classroom and connect with others working to restore the American chestnut.

For more information visit: tacf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Poster-Session-RFP.pdf

#americanchestnut #humor #Students #StudentResearch #forestry ... See MoreSee Less

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