Connecticut News
Nearly Extinct American Chestnut Trees Brought to Life …
...on the Grounds of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History It once graced eastern forests from Maine to Georgia and its beauty and strength were legendary. Its nuts fed forest wildlife and became a cash crop for many of the families living in the...
Vegetative Propagation and Grafting
A few months ago I saw this response to a readers question about vegetative propagation by Hill Craddock at the University of Tennessee, which I reproduce here with his permission. As a detailed decription of his experiences I thought it a valuable resource that...
Low Tech Irrigation
As we developed plans for several of our research orchards in CT, one of the missing links in our infrastructure were flexible systems for irrigation and delivery of fertilizer. E-mails to the various nut grower forums and Chapter mailng lists returned a wealth of...
NRCS Soil Survey Tool
I just learned of a great new on-line tool from the NRCS. It just went up at the end of last year, and is a bit difficult to use at first, but can be of great interest to chestnut growers, particularly those who are still in the planning stages. Although the chestnut...
Connecticut Flower Show
From Thursday though Sunday, February 23rd through 26th, the CT Flower show is Hartford's big event. A "momentary bloom" in winter's last icy grip, the show provides an opportunity for the chapter to reach throngs of gardners who might not otherwise attend a...
Connecticut Chapter Develops Draft Strategic Plan
Over the past five months the Board of the Connecticut Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation (CT-TACF) has been involved with drafting a long-term Strategic Plan with the goal of helping us focus our efforts on productive activities and provide a means to...
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At Heirloom Table Company, nothing is wasted and every table tells a story.
This clip showcases how salvaged American chestnut wood, reclaimed from old New England buildings, is transformed into handcrafted tables designed to become family heirlooms.
The full video takes a deeper look at the process and then introduces another local artisan who handcrafts Native‑style flutes. While the flute‑making isn’t connected to chestnut wood, it’s a beautiful continuation of the theme: preserving craftsmanship, skill, and tradition.
Watch the full video here: www.wcvb.com/article/crafting-heirlooms-and-melodies-in-new-england/70794861
#news #americanchestnut #wood #trees #explorepage
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We are beginning to see catkins on chestnut trees in our high-light growth chamber! By growing our chestnuts under 16 hours of high-intensity light, we’re seeing incredible results, including pollen production in less than 2 years. In the field, pollen and female flower production typically takes 5–7 years. This acceleration allows us to shorten breeding cycles and speed up tree generations, helping us select, improve, and scale better chestnut genetics much faster than traditional timelines.
#AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience
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Is it possible to buy pollen from American chestnuts?
Have you sent out the seeds for seed-level members? I was supposed to get six of them; and in the past, they have always come in March -- and today is the 27th.
It is good to hear of the accelerated time line. Are these trees all genotyped?
If you’ve ever wondered why we keep planting wild‑type American chestnuts, even though they eventually succumb to blight, this is why.
Any other questions we can answer? Drop them in the comments!
#reels #explorepage #americanchestnut #ecology #nature
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Is it true they're safe out here in the west? I'd plant some.
I understand why you keep planting wild type...you should... and use your RGS on pure Americans not the hybrids( Mr Westbrook). What I don't understand is why you keep growing the hybrids and fighting off Molissima after all these years of consistent failure Mr Goergen?
Quick technical question. I saw a video that claims if you somehow place soil into the blighted area soon enough, it stops or curtails the blight’s destruction of the tree. True, or nonsense ? Thanks. Definitely planting some Chestnuts this year. And pawpaws of course ❤️
Rogueing has officially begun! Late last year, Meadowview Research Farm staff selected the best trees in our 2018 progeny test to be genetically tested this year, and now our Director of Land Management, Dan McKinnon, is removing the trees that weren’t selected. The 2017 progeny test is also being cleared to make way for future plantings. Removing undesirable trees on a regular basis provides space for the trees of tomorrow.
#AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience
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if you dug them I am sure some of us could plant them.. i mean if there is a chance they make it
Can't you replant the "undesirable " trees else where as they're important to the earth breathing.
Thanks, Dan!
The PA/NJ Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation is having a Spring Growers meeting on March 28, 2026 from 9:30am - 3:30pm
Expert speakers: Michael Goergen, Allen Dietrich-Ward, Noah Vincent, and Lake Graboski
$30 ticket price includes breakfast and lunch!
All are welcome! Learn more at PANJTACF.org
It will be held at The Centennial Barn at Fort Hunter Mansion
5395 N. Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17110
#americanchestnut #meeting #getinvolved #nonprofit #explorepage
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Sorry I will miss this! I have to be at our SAWN-PA forest workshop.