Georgia News

So you want to plant some chestnuts?

We’re happy to be hearing from so many folks like you who are interested in planting chestnuts on their property.  We’ve received a lot of requests for chestnut seedlings and that’s good news, since it indicates a high level of interest in restoring the American chestnut.  But we need to make everyone aware of the status of our program as well as our capacity to involve private landowners in it.

First and foremost, we’re not quite “there” yet in our disease resistance program. Our current and future efforts are experimental and will most likely continue to be so for many years. Neither the Georgia chapter nor our parent organization can guarantee disease resistance in trees we release to landowners like you, and we cannot commit to a specific timeline in that regard. That boils down to a good chance that many trees we have today may not carry sufficient disease resistance, so most likely will not live to become the “mighty giants” we all hope and dream about.  While we are making great progress towards our goal, the science of conquering chestnut diseases takes time.

The Georgia chapter has worked with nearly 300 landowners on projects ranging from small demonstration and/or educational plantings of only a few trees to large experimental orchards with thousands of trees. Chapter volunteers help landowners get started, then turn the project over to the landowner for long-term maintenance and upkeep. As an all-volunteer organization with limited resources and funding, we try to be careful about establishing new orchard projects so we can make sure our current projects are successful. Obviously, we want all partnerships with landowners to be successful.

Here are some things we ask of anyone interested in planting chestnuts on our behalf:

1) We ask that you maintain membership in TACF (when you join the national organization you automatically become a state chapter member). In fact, it’s best to become a member for a few years, volunteer at a few events, and take time to learn more about our program before offering to plant trees on your property. See https://support.tacf.org/membership

2) Basic information about your site should be submitted to the GA-TACF Science Coordinator at gro.fca@retpahcag, ideally via the submission of a “Potential Orchard Steward” form that will be provided. This survey lists the types of orchard projects that GA-TACF supports, along with expectations about each planting type.

3) A reasonably well designed, long-term orchard stewardship plan should be developed with assistance from the GA-TACF Science Coordinator. If the planting is simply a small demo/educational project, then an informal plan may be developed with our Demo Orchard Manager.

4) If planting hybrid trees emanating from the TACF breeding program, landowners must sign and submit a germplasm agreement to TACF’s Asheville, NC office (also available by e-mailing gro.fca@retpahcag)

Whenever possible, GA-TACF tries to assist landowners with up-front materials, supplies, and seeds or seedlings.  Given that we are funded solely by dues and donations, helping defray these start-up costs is another great way to help our chapter. Beyond that, the primary responsibility for long-term tree care is left to the individual landowner. With no paid staff and small state membership, we do not have the capacity to maintain orchards for landowners.

If you want to plant a few trees on your property, please note TACF has a “Seed Level” membership program that provides advanced hybrid seeds to donor members.  Also, TACF members are eligible to purchase pure American chestnut seedlings during TACF’s annual spring ale. For more information on these programs, see https://tacf.org/american-chestnut-seeds-and-seedlings/

Finally, besides planting trees on our behalf, there are many other ways GA-TACF members can help our program, including helping find wild American chestnut trees, collecting scion wood for grafting, assisting with maintenance at already established orchard sites, helping recruit new members, volunteering for community outreach events, etc.  Please e-mail us at gro.fca@retpahcag if you want to be kept in the loop about such opportunities.

Thanks so much for your interest and support in the Georgia chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation.

Sincerely,

Martin Cipollini

GA-TACF President and Science Coordinator

 

Georgia News Chapter Menu

Georgia Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Hot but productive time with last weekend's deer fence installation at UNG's Hurricane Creek chestnut orchard. Many thanks to all the volunteers and especially to Jack Rogers and Karrie Ann Fadroski for organizing and working all three mornings! The American Chestnut Foundation UNG - University of North Georgia ... See MoreSee Less

Hot but productive time with last weekends deer fence installation at UNGs Hurricane Creek chestnut orchard. Many thanks to all the volunteers and especially to Jack Rogers and Karrie Ann Fadroski for organizing and working all three mornings! The American Chestnut Foundation UNG - University of North GeorgiaImage attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment

Hello Georgia Chestnut Enthusiasts! Another volunteer opportunity... this one is pretty urgent.

We need your help with an upgrade to our chestnut orchard in Dahlonega. Hurricane Creek is a collaborative project with the University of North Georgia Biology Department and is being used to test for resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi (black root rot disease). The orchard is progressing well, with over 100 trees in place, but we have been unsuccessful keeping the deer at bay with our electric fence. We have decided it's time to install a deer exclusion fence, similar that used at our Flint and Richards orchards. Please let us know if you can join us on for a morning shift or two to help install the fence - see dates and times. The fence goes up pretty easily and no special skills are needed. We'll provide all materials and tools, along with water and snacks.

If you can help out, please bring the following:

Hat, sunscreen, insect repellent.
Work gloves.
Water, sack lunch if desired.

Because of the heat, we'll get started each day at 8AM, and work until the heat runs us off.

Hurricane Creek is located on GA Highway 9, between Dawsonville and Dahlonega. The address is 3990 Dawsonville Hwy, Dahlonega GA, 30597. On Google Maps, maps.app.goo.gl/eTMeKLwPBEtqi2y76.

Below are the shifts for volunteers for the fence installation. Please use this link to sign up (orchard maintenance tab): theamericanchestnutfoundation.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=90470

Friday, 7/25/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), site prep work, install corner posts, layout posts, clear brush in a few areas, relocate some of the existing electric fence.

Saturday, 7/26/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), install posts, layout tarp between posts, install top polyline, install fence fabric, install bottom fabric anchors, install door.

Sunday, 7/27/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), install bottom 2' mesh, finish up.

The American Chestnut Foundation
UNG - University of North Georgia
... See MoreSee Less

Hello Georgia Chestnut Enthusiasts!  Another volunteer opportunity... this one is pretty urgent.We need your help with an upgrade to our chestnut orchard in Dahlonega. Hurricane Creek is a collaborative project with the University of North Georgia Biology Department and is being used to test for resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi (black root rot disease). The orchard is progressing well, with over 100 trees in place, but we have been unsuccessful keeping the deer at bay with our electric fence. We have decided its time to install a deer exclusion fence, similar that used at our Flint and Richards orchards. Please let us know if you can join us on for a morning shift or two to help install the fence - see dates and times. The fence goes up pretty easily and no special skills are needed. Well provide all materials and tools, along with water and snacks. If you can help out, please bring the following:Hat, sunscreen, insect repellent.Work gloves.Water, sack lunch if desired.Because of the heat, well get started each day at 8AM, and work until the heat runs us off.Hurricane Creek is located on GA Highway 9, between Dawsonville and Dahlonega. The address is 3990 Dawsonville Hwy, Dahlonega GA, 30597. On Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/eTMeKLwPBEtqi2y76.Below are the shifts for volunteers for the fence installation.  Please use this link to sign up (orchard maintenance tab): https://theamericanchestnutfoundation.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=90470Friday, 7/25/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), site prep work, install corner posts, layout posts, clear brush in a few areas, relocate some of the existing electric fence.Saturday, 7/26/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), install posts, layout tarp between posts, install top polyline, install fence fabric, install bottom fabric anchors, install door.Sunday, 7/27/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), install bottom 2 mesh, finish up.The American Chestnut FoundationUNG - University of North Georgia

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

Work started today! Still a chance to volunteer for tomorrow or Sunday. Thanks!

We could really use some help with this folks! Please consider signing up for a shift. The work installing this type of fence is not that difficult, but we can definitely use some extra hands.

Load more