Rescuing the

American Chestnut

Our mission is to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.

Our vision is a robust eastern forest returned to its splendor.

Chestnut Chat Series

A Half-Century of Recovery Efforts for the Endangered Virginia Round-leaf Birch

Join us on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (EPT), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat.

Special guest Dr. Terry Sharik, Research Professor at the Michigan Tech School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (bio), will provide an overview of efforts toward the recovery of the endangered Virginia round-leaf birch (Betula uber) over the past half century. While B. uber does not currently contend with any lethal specialist pathogens and does not claim an ethnobotanical niche similar to chestnut, it is a fascinating example of opportunities for cross-species lessons as we continue on our path toward American chestnut restoration.

A typical round-leaf birch progeny population in Virginia. Photo by Terry Sharik
Wild-type American chestnut seeds

Annual Wild-Type Seed Sale

It’s almost here! TACF’s Annual Wild-Type American Chestnut Seed Sale is happening Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 9AM.

The cost per package of 10 seeds is $50 including shipping. (One bundle per customer.)

This is an extremely popular annual sale exclusively for current TACF members. Seed quantities are limited and are for sale while supplies last. Seeds may sell out quickly.

Please note that your membership or renewal must be recieved by March 1 and remain current through March 18 to be eligible to participate in the seedling sale.

Now Streaming

CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut is now available for public viewing! For just $10, you will receive unlimited views and the ability to watch on multiple devices and to download.

All proceeds support the film’s production costs and The American Chestnut Foundation’s mission to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.

Clear Day Thunder movie poster

Science Strategies

Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biocontrol
United for Restoration

The American Chestnut Foundation takes a holistic approach toward chestnut restoration, utilizing a three-pronged research strategy known as 3BUR (Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biocontrol United for Restoration). These research tracks are meant to be integrated through collaborations that are mutually beneficial, so we can explore all avenues to reach the common goal of saving and restoring this species as quickly as possible.

Support Our Research

How to identify an American chestnut tree

Learn how to identify American chestnuts and send us a sample for identification.

Support The Restoration

How to receive American chestnut seeds

Learn how to get American chestnut seeds from TACF.

Latest News

Remembering President Jimmy Carter 1924-2024

Remembering President Jimmy Carter 1924-2024

Dear friends, The board of directors and staff of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) mourn the loss of President Jimmy Carter, who died yesterday at the age of 100 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. An Honorary Director at TACF since the very early days of the...

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TACF Unveils New Brand

TACF Unveils New Brand

TACF Unveils New Brand to Celebrate 40+ Years of American Chestnut RestorationAsheville, NC 9/5/2024 The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is thrilled to announce the launch of its new brand, marking a significant milestone in its more than 40-year journey dedicated...

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Find us on Facebook

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Yesterday, Lauren visited the genetics class at Emory & Henry University to discuss their exciting molecular biology project! Students will be identifying and sequencing plant defense genes in the American chestnut genome—an essential step in understanding how these genes function. While the genome has been sequenced, little research has been done on individual genes, so it’s unclear if defense genes found in other plants exist in chestnuts and serve the same purpose. This hands-on lab experience will not only enhance students' skills but also lay the groundwork for future genetic modifications that could help contribute to blight resistance in American chestnut. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Emory & Henry University on this important research!

#americanchestnut #castaneadentata #americanchestnutfoundation #ChestnutResearch #emoryandhenry
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1 CommentComment on Facebook

What about comparison with Chinese (Ornamental) Chestnut genome & to see if defense genome exists?

Happy Valentine’s Day from The American Chestnut Foundation!⁠

Your love for the American chestnut is what makes our restoration work possible. We thank you with all our heart! ⁠

Please continue eating chocolate now.
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Happy Valentine’s Day from The American Chestnut Foundation!⁠⁠Your love for the American chestnut is what makes our restoration work possible. We thank you with all our heart! ⁠⁠Please continue eating chocolate now.

Join us on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Eastern), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat.

Special guest Dr. Terry Sharik, Research Professor at the Michigan Tech School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (bio), will provide an overview of efforts aimed at the recovery of the endangered Virginia round-leaf birch (Betula uber) over the past half century.

To learn more or register, visit tacf.org/event/chestnut-chat-recovery-efforts-virginia-round-leaf-birch/
... See MoreSee Less

Join us on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Eastern), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat.Special guest Dr. Terry Sharik, Research Professor at the Michigan Tech School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (bio), will provide an overview of efforts aimed at the recovery of the endangered Virginia round-leaf birch (Betula uber) over the past half century.To learn more or register, visit https://tacf.org/event/chestnut-chat-recovery-efforts-virginia-round-leaf-birch/

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Can’t wait for this.

It's time to get growing this week at Meadowview Research Farms! Alongside seeds harvested from Meadowview Research Farms, we’re also planting seeds sourced from partner pollination programs across the American chestnut range. The seeds have been stratified in coolers since being harvested last fall. The process of stratification in coolers mimic natural conditions of moisture and cool temperatures to prepare them for germination. Each seed is carefully placed into its designated pot based on its experiment, covered, and watered in—officially beginning the germination process! Come back and check out the progress soon!

#propagation #seeds #recurrentgenomicselection #americanchestnut #castaneadentata #americanchestnutfoundation #ChestnutResearch #prepping #smallstemassay #meadowviewresearchfarms
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1 CommentComment on Facebook

Worth the effort

For all you chestnut nerds out there, here's a great read!

From the abstract: Over a century after two introduced pathogens decimated American chestnut populations, breeding programs continue to incorporate resistance from Chinese chestnut to recover self-sustaining populations. Due to complex genetics of chestnut blight resistance, it is challenging to obtain trees with sufficient resistance and competitive growth. We developed high quality reference genomes for Chinese and American chestnut and leveraged large disease phenotype and genotype datasets to develop accurate genomic selection.

View the full abstract and download a PDF of the study here: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.01.30.635736v1.article-info
... See MoreSee Less

For all you chestnut nerds out there, heres a great read! From the abstract: Over a century after two introduced pathogens decimated American chestnut populations, breeding programs continue to incorporate resistance from Chinese chestnut to recover self-sustaining populations. Due to complex genetics of chestnut blight resistance, it is challenging to obtain trees with sufficient resistance and competitive growth. We developed high quality reference genomes for Chinese and American chestnut and leveraged large disease phenotype and genotype datasets to develop accurate genomic selection. View the full abstract and download a PDF of the study here: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.01.30.635736v1.article-info

4 CommentsComment on Facebook

I grew up in a small town near Niagara Falls, NY. We had massive American chestnut trees all over the city. They were still alive in the 1980s? Can you explain why the blight didn’t get these trees? As a boy we would play with Chestnuts that were all over the streets

I hope there is a real breakthrough in my lifetime

Is there any ai programs that you can feed the dna of each tree and ai will tell you which crosses will do best to increase resistance on each cross ?

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Upcoming Events

- Feb 23
10:00AM - 5:30PM

This year again, the CT Chapter will be at the CT Flower and Garden Show. Stop by our table in the CT Federated Garden exhibit to see the work of […]

11:30AM - 1:00PM

Join us on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Eastern), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat.Special guest Dr. Terry Sharik, Research Professor at the Michigan Tech […]