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Woodbridge Land Trust Plants their Orchard

The Woodbridge Land Trust planted their Calistro tree harvest at the Town's Fitzgerald property on Beecher Road. The Amity Observer captured the event in this fantastic article appearing April 26th.

At the Tuesday May 9th May meeting of the TACF-CT Board, Robert Gregg described the publicity regarding the recent planting of chestnuts from a backcross with Joe Calistro's American Chestnut tree in Woodbridge. On April 21, 2006, Philip Arnold, Robert Gregg, Joe Calistro, Robert Fries and other volunteers planted the chestnuts with a local paper, The Amity Observer, and Channel 12 in attendance. This resulted in an across the front page spread with a picture and a story of TACF's role in bringing back the American Chestnut.

The following week Beecher Elementary students walked to the site for a short talk by Dr. Arnold followed by a question and answer session when the students peppered him with questions that he handled skillfully. The students came in three groups accompanied by several parents, teachers and administrators. It was heartening to see the enthusiasm of the students and the supervisor had to cut off the questions when it came time to go back to school.

Reporters and cameramen from three newspapers and channel 12 were there for this school event. Again we had a front page spread with a picture. Gregg pointed out that personal contact with media representatives led to this result. This favorable publicity can benefit TACF and help in accomplishing our goals. We need more of it. One direct result was that Joe Calistro was given the location of three chestnut trees in Woodbridge that we did not know about. We shall check them out as possible mother trees.

TACF has a well developed program for schools that should be used even more widely than it is now being used. Laurence Grotheer is the Woodbridge Land Trust's chestnut emissary to Beecher School and he made arrangements with the administration and science section and gave them TACF material. Many of the students had logged on to www.charliechestnut.org and some of them had had their parents bring them to the site even before the school visit.

Robert Gregg had given out to the media a 10 page brief that he had written or copied from TACF publications so that the story line in the papers was fairly accurate. Copies of this brief, together with photocopies of the front page spreads, was given to each attendee at the TACF-CT meeting.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006, Robert Gregg gave a progress report on the Woodbridge Chestnut nursery to the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Woodbridge. It was well received with kind remarks from members of the Board. The presentation was an expansion of the remarks made at the TACF-CT Board meeting with emphasis on education. The same newspaper reports and information brief were given to the Selectmen as were given to our board members.

To learn more about the Land Trust's efforts, contact Directors Phil Arnold or Robert Gregg.

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Especially if you're under a canopy of American chestnuts... ... See MoreSee Less

Especially if youre under a canopy of American chestnuts...

5 CommentsComment on Facebook

Unless, of course, it's fall. Then the chestnut seed pods are falling from the trees and creating a floor covered in pins and needles so sharp that it puts sweetgum to shame. You wouldn't want to be laying under the chestnut canopy then!

I live in Barboursville, WV and wanted to know if i can buy a seedling or how i go about acquiring one! Thank you!

The SHADE TREE COMMISSION in NEW PALTZ New York is interested in planting some CHESTNUT trees on Chestnut Street (Rt. 32). We would like to receive help from you if possible. New Paltz is a historic town and in the past there were MANY Chestnut trees here, Presently there is only ONE Chestnut tree which I grew from the nut of an elegant, large tree when it was sadly cut down. If there are any Chestnut trees available, or if you have any suggestion that might help us in this quest we would be greatful. Thank you for your attention., Shelly Ottens (moc.oohay@obobnyllehsih)

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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! ... See MoreSee Less

8 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?

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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
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8 CommentsComment on Facebook

Would the Chestnut tree grow well in the upper Midwest?

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?

Howdy. He have four American Chestnuts together, growing opposite of several Chinese. They are about 20 years old. An interesting study.

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Is this possibly in the Chestnut family?

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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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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