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.
QUIZ: What does RGS stand for?
Click your answer to see if you got it right!
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It IS really good, but that’s not what it stands for. Please guess again.
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That would be very cool. But no. Please guess again.
Learn more about the exciting new RGS breeding program at TACF!
Merch of the Month
Leaf Logo Sun Hoodie
$33
Gear up for summer with July’s featured item: the Leaf Logo Sun Hoodie. This lightweight, moisture-wicking hoodie offers built-in UV protection—perfect for hikes, field work, or everyday wear. Best of all, it shows your support for the restoration of the American chestnut.
- Available in Sport Forest or Bright Seafoam
- Small leaf logo on the front, large TACF logo on the back
Our model Angus is 5’10” and wearing a medium and Christine is 5’4″ wearing a size small.
did you know?
TACF is the steward of the most blight-resistant and most genetically diverse majority-American chestnut population in the world.
This population is the foundation of our advanced RGS breeding program!
2025 American Chestnut Photo Contest
Grab your camera and hit the trails—the American Chestnut Photo Contest is back! We’re looking for striking, creative, and unique images of American chestnut trees and hybrids.
The first-place winner will have their photo featured on the cover of a future issue of Chestnut magazine and receive a one-year TACF membership, along with a T-shirt and hat. Open until December 31, 2025
2024 Winner: Blue-gray gnatcatcher chicks in an American chestnut backcross tree, by Anna Rose at Berry College, GA
Inspiring!
CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut is now available! For just $10, you will receive unlimited views and the ability to download and watch on multiple devices.
All proceeds support The American Chestnut Foundation’s mission to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.
Science Strategies
Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biodiversity
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 Biodiversity, United for Restoration). These research tracks are implemented through mutually beneficial collaborations, so we can explore all avenues to reach the common goal of saving and restoring this species as quickly as possible.
Support Our Research
Found a tree?
Learn how to identify American chestnuts and send us a sample for identification.
Support The Restoration
Want a tree?
Learn how to get American chestnut seeds from TACF.
Latest News
End of an Era: Honoring Sara Fitzsimmons’ Remarkable Journey with TACF
Thank You, Sara: Celebrating Over 20 Years of Passion and LeadershipAfter more than two decades with The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), Chief Conservation Officer Sara Fern Fitzsimmons has accepted a new role as Technologies for Agriculture and Living Systems...
A New Beginning: Fresh Leadership for TACF’s New York Chapter
The Executive Committee of The American Chestnut Foundation’s (TACF) Board of Directors voted in May 2025 to establish a newly restructured, unincorporated New York (NY) Chapter. We warmly welcome a dynamic new leadership team: President Dazzle Ekblad, Treasurer Kurt...
Rolling Out a Unified Look: TACF Chapter Logos Now Live Across All State Chapters
The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is excited to announce the official rollout of newly designed logos for all state chapters. This initiative is part of a larger strategy to create a cohesive and professional visual identity across the entire organization,...
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Especially if you're 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)
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!
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?
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
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.
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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Upcoming Events
Come phenotype trees with us at Matthew's State Forest! We will have two workdays: July 10th, 12PM-5PM and July 11th, 8AM-3PM. We will be assessing trees for blight resistance and […]
All are welcome! July 20, 2025 (HYBRID) Please send agenda items to Kathy.
Please join the Virginia Chapter and Matthews State Forest for a screening of TACF's documentary, Clear Day Thunder: Rescuing The American Chestnut! The event is open to all ages and […]