Georgia News Chapter Menu

National Menu

Georgia News

The Flint Orchard Planting is Done!

About 20 volunteers got down and dirty at the Flint chestnut orchard on Saturday, making quick work planting about 400 seedlings between 9 am and 2 pm! Fantastic day and many thanks to everyone who came out to help!

I have included a few photos of the event below.  Note that some of the small seedlings we planted at this time two years ago (upper half of orchard) are already 6 – 8 ft tall!  We will begin screening some of these for blight resistance next summer.

Volunteers included (I hope I didn’t miss anyone): Sarah Reynolds (Ms. Santa), Ken Cissna, Scott Frazier, Joe Nicholson, Ken Marlin, Mike Pilvinsky, Paul Bryant, Doug Hood, Earl Ferguson, David Richterkessing, Steve Wallin, Zach Felix, Jonathan Price, Mike Lloyd, Marshall Lynch (Berry student who shepherded the seedlings and planting supplies to the site), Kathy Patrick, Gerhardt Slawitschka, Kelsey Jordan, Pic Petelle, and me.

We will have two more planting events of similar size in the Feb/March period. In the meantime, our next need for volunteer help will be the collection of scion wood for grafting from wild American chestnuts. Please stay tuned for announcements about these important initiatives in the very near future.

Thanks again volunteers!
Martin Cipollini, GA-TACF Science Coordinator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgia News Chapter Menu

CONTACT
Become A Member
WAYS TO GIVE

Georgia Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
The Georgia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation
2 weeks ago
The Georgia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation

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
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • likes 5
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 2

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.

The Georgia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation is at University of Tennessee Chattanooga.
3 weeks ago
The Georgia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation

Hello Chestnutters!
On Thursday July 17 there will be a small stem assay workshop at the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Fortwood Street Greenhouse. This workshop will demonstrate how TACF tests young seedlings for blight resistance. A good number of these seedlings are from our GA breeding orchards. UTC's Dr. J Hill Craddock is looking for 10 interested participants/volunteers. No experience necessary! Please read more and sign up via this link: theamericanchestnutfoundation.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=90486
Martin Cipollini GA-TACF
The American Chestnut Foundation
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga ... See MoreSee Less

Hello Chestnutters! On Thursday July 17 there will be a small stem assay workshop at the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Fortwood Street Greenhouse. This workshop will demonstrate how TACF tests young seedlings for blight resistance. A good number of these seedlings are from our GA breeding orchards. UTCs Dr. J Hill Craddock is looking for 10 interested participants/volunteers. No experience necessary! Please read more and sign up via this link: https://theamericanchestnutfoundation.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=90486 Martin Cipollini GA-TACFThe American Chestnut Foundation The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • likes 5
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Load more
TACF logo

(828) 281-0047

Email Us

National Office

50 N. Merrimon Ave
STE 115
Asheville, NC 28804

Subscribe To TACF's eSprout Newsletter

Share your email address and we’ll keep you informed.

Just Economics
Four star rated charity