Connecticut news

Spring Chestnut Planting at Wigwam Brook

Are you looking for a way to welcome spring to CT? Please join the CT Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation for planting at a brand new orchard site! On Saturday, May 8th CT-TACF will plant several American chestnut breeding lines (several hundred trees) at the newly-established Wigwam Book Orchard in Litchfield, CT. This orchard is on property owned by the Litchfield Hills Audubon, with support from CT-TACF. In 2009 a test planting was established on-site, which was very successful and allowed new orchard managers John Baker and Tom Traver to gain valuable experience growing chestnut. Thanks to a WHIP grant from NRCS, in the past month a deer fence has been installed and blue bird boxes are planned for installation later this spring.

Now that the orchard managers and the site are ready, it's time to plant the orchard! Planting of roughly 200 nuts is planned to start at 10:00 am on Saturday May 8th and will run into the early afternoon. The rain date is Sunday May 9th, same time. Wigwam Brook is located on Lipeika Road, off Route 254 and about a half mile from the Route 118 intersection in Litchfield. For more information, please contact Tom Traver at (860) 274-3928. We hope to see you there!



Kendra Gurney

TACF New England Regional Science Coordinator

802.951.6771 x1350 (o)

802.999.8706 (m)

gro.fca@ardneK

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We’re honored to be highlighted in this AVLtoday feature on the American chestnut’s story in Western North Carolina.

While the path to restoration is long, moments like this remind us how many people care about bringing this tree back to the landscape it once defined.

Thank you to everyone who continues to help this story grow.

Read the article: avltoday.6amcity.com/chestnut-tree-wnc

Photo curtsey of Audrey Snow Owen of PA/NJ TACF

#americanchestnut #explorepage #restoration #conservation #environment #nature #asheville #chestnuts
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We’re honored to be highlighted in this AVLtoday feature on the American chestnut’s story in Western North Carolina. While the path to restoration is long, moments like this remind us how many people care about bringing this tree back to the landscape it once defined.Thank you to everyone who continues to help this story grow.Read the article: https://avltoday.6amcity.com/chestnut-tree-wncPhoto curtsey of Audrey Snow Owen of PA/NJ TACF#americanchestnut #explorepage #restoration #conservation #environment #nature #asheville #chestnuts

Freedom seekers—enslaved Africans and African Americans who escaped slavery in pursuit of freedom—faced hunger, exposure, and unfamiliar terrain as they journeyed north.

Black History Month provides an important opportunity to honor the past while also recognizing how Black knowledge, leadership, and community continue to shape the present. From histories rooted in land and survival to modern platforms and outdoor spaces where connection and representation matter.

Throughout February, we will share a series of four stories that explore Black relationships to land, legacy, and community, looking at both historical foundations and contemporary expressions.

Read more about Freedom Seekers: tacf.org/black-history-and-the-american-chestnut/

#BlackHistoryMonth #americanchestnut #explorepage #chestnuts #BlackHistoryMonth2026 #restoration #conservation #History
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Freedom seekers—enslaved Africans and African Americans who escaped slavery in pursuit of freedom—faced hunger, exposure, and unfamiliar terrain as they journeyed north.Black History Month provides an important opportunity to honor the past while also recognizing how Black knowledge, leadership, and community continue to shape the present. From histories rooted in land and survival to modern platforms and outdoor spaces where connection and representation matter.Throughout February, we will share a series of four stories that explore Black relationships to land, legacy, and community, looking at both historical foundations and contemporary expressions.Read more about Freedom Seekers: https://tacf.org/black-history-and-the-american-chestnut/ #blackhistorymonth #americanchestnut #explorepage #chestnuts #blackhistorymonth2026 #restoration #conservation #historyImage attachmentImage attachment

3 CommentsComment on Facebook

Hopefully they will be developing a mold resistant tree.

That's a really interesting perspective. I think a lot of woodcraft and other types of knowledge about the natural world, like astronomy, had to be shared. Also, marine skills.

Chestnuts?

January might feel like the quiet season, but at our research farms it’s already time to get growing. This month, we’re sowing chestnut seeds that will be used in upcoming research and breeding efforts. Starting seeds in January gives us a valuable head start on the growing season, allowing seedlings to establish early and be ready for genotyping in the spring and summer. Each seed represents an important step forward in our research, helping us better understand growth, resistance, and performance across chestnut species and hybrids. #AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress

#ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ChestnutSeedlings
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Does everyone's staff retreat include fungus, tree bark, and chestnut beer... or just ours?

#americanchestnut #explorepage #restoration #conservation #chestnuts #worktrip #staffretreat
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2 CommentsComment on Facebook

how do we get american chestnut seedlings to plant?

Great video!!!

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