Connecticut news

CT-TACF Spring Board of Director’s Meeting

The spring Board Meeting of the Connecticut Chapter was hosted by the Woodbridge Land Trust at the Center Building in Woodbridge. Special gratitude goes out to Dr. Robert Gregg of the Land Trust for making the arrangements and providing refreshments. Special thanks also to all Directors for their hard work but in this case especially to Pat van de Kamp for her fabulous meeting minutes.

We had ten of eleven members present, a quorum and almost a full turnout. In attendance were: Rod Longley, Pat Van de Kamp, Bill Adamsen, Gayle Kida, Charles Dobos, David Bingham, Robert Gregg, Philip Arnold, Jim Gage and Garret Smith. Special guests included Sara Fitzsimmons, the Midwestern Regional Science Coordinator, and Leila Pinchot, recently hired New England Regional Science Coordinator. In addition, several members of the Woodbridge Land Trust attended, including Robert Fries, whose bucket truck (and son) helped with the pollinations of the Calistro Tree last summer. Also in attendance were: Michael Raymond, Lawrence Grotheer, Joe Calistro, Dr. Jim Sabshin, Mr. Robert Fries.

The full draft minutes are located in the documents repository and will be considered for approval at the next fall meeting. There were some significant reports and votes that should interest State Chapter members. I will gloss over them here, since they are available in detail in the previously described draft minutes. All votes were unanimous.

  • Adoption of Draft Strategic Plan
  • Four Committee appointments were confirmed
  • Confirmation of Orchard Agreement with Great Mountain Forest Corporation
  • Adoption of a Privacy Policy
  • Confirmation of the Intern Agreement
  • Acceptance of the 2005 Financial Report and audit letter.
  • Approval of the Draft 2006 Budget
  • Acceptance of the Reports of the Tree Breeding Committee, the Education Commitee, the Membership Committee, the Communications Committee, and the Orchard Manager Reports.

I thought it was a friendly and collegial meeting, yet we accomplished a phenomenol amount of work. I extend my deepest thanks to all the Directors for attending, and for the hard work put into accomplishing what we've accomplished to date, and setting of the vision for tommorrow.

Bill Adamsen, President

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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'm about ready to put a tree outfront of my house. Needing some shade? I would love to have a seedling sent to me of a chestnut American chestnut.? I would put it out front of my house probably

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

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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.
... See MoreSee Less

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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