About Us
Our Mission
Our mission is to bring about the restoration of the American chestnut tree as a prominent part of Georgia forests.
The Georgia Chapter was founded to bring about the restoration of the American chestnut tree as a prominent part of Georgia forests by assisting the national foundation in its propagation efforts, by promoting public awareness through education and by supporting the scientific research efforts of TACF directed at restoring American chestnuts.
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
President
Jack Rogers
Vice President
Kathy Patrick
Secretary
Zach Felix
Treasurer
Vince Payne
Tree Breeding/Preservation (Science Coordinator)
Dr. Caitlin Conn
Honorary Director
Mary Belle Price (posthumously)
Board Members
Tim Chesnut
Dr. Zach Felix
Dr. Scott Merkle
Ana Metaxas
Dr. Caitlin Conn
Taryn Heidel
David Keehn
David Green
Partnerships
The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) and the Georgia Chapter (GaTACF) seek out partners that will not only help further its chestnut restoration program but also bring attention to the importance of the chestnut in American history. These partners include major universities, private foundations and businesses, as well as state and federal government agencies. With plantings at high-profile sites such as the Carter Center, Callaway Gardens Preserve, and the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum Project, GaTACF has been able to attract significant support from many partners throughout Georgia.
Each of our partners offers a unique perspective on chestnut restoration and gives GaTACF the best possible opportunity to be successful in its efforts to bring the American chestnut back to the forests of Georgia.
Georgia TACF Partner Organizations
- Atlanta History Center
- Berry College
- Bittersweet Gardens
- Bottletree Bees
- Byron Herbert Reece Farm & Heritage Center
- Carter Center
- Charlane Plantation
- Cloudland Vineyards
- Dalton State College
- Douglas County
- Elachee Nature Science Center
- Friends of Smithgall Woods State Park
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources
- Georgia State Parks
- Georgia Forestry Commission
- Georgia Governor’s Mansion
- Georgia Piedmont Land Trust
- Georgia State Botanical Garden
- Kennesaw State University (Research Farm)
- Kistner Center
- North Georgia Canopy Tours
- Pettit Environmental Center
- Rabun Gap Nacoochee School
- Reinhardt University
- Rising Fawn Gardens
- Runnin’ Wild Farms
- Smith-Gilbert Gardens
- The Blueberry Farm
- The Callaway Gardens Preserve
- The Carter Center
- Cherokee County Recreation & Parks
- Sandy Creek Nature Center
- The University of Georgia (UGA) Horticultural Farm
- The UGA Mountain Research & Education Center (GMREC)
- The UGA Warnell School of Forestry
- The Southern Company (Georgia Power)
- Toccoa Falls College
- Trees Atlanta and the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum
- University of North Georgia
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S.D.A. Forest Service
- Vogel State Park
- Young Harris College
FOR OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT WE WISH TO THANK
- Ailene Phillips Trust
- Dr. Austin Flint
- Berry College
- Eleanor & Tom Ratchford
- Georgia Appalachian Regional Commission
- Georgia State Specialty Crops Grant
- Lumpkin Coalition/Hemlockfest
- Dr. Martin Cipollini & Kathryn Patrick
- Mary Belle Price
- Rome Rotary Clubs
- Temple-Inland Foundation
- Urban & Community Forestry Commission
Georgia Chapter Menu
Georgia Facebook
Seeds collected from Anna Ruby Falls chestnuts.
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Nice!
A friend gave me a dunstan chestnut tree. Is that a good 1 to plant?
Chestnut harvest is progressing in Georgia, including harvests from pure American chestnuts at a few spots in the state. These photos show two chestnuts that have been growing at Anna Ruby Falls since the mid-1990s. They show odd blight cankers consisting of deep gnarled bark. This type of cankering is consistent with either some level of resistance in the host tree, infection with a less virulent (hypovirulent) form of the blight fungus, or both. Regardless of the malformation and periodic loss of limbs, these trees have remained alive and have produced at least some nuts every year for over a decade.
Seeds at this site were graciously collected by Anna Ruby Falls staff member Matt Summers. GA-TACF's Dr. Martin Cipollini and Kathy Patrick picked them up and shuttled them to Berry College for processing. Over 100 seeds were collected.
In order to save seeds for planting, we place them in ziplock bags in damp peat or sphagnum moss, poke some holes in the bags, and keep them in the refrigerator all fall and winter. By January or February the seeds will have sprouted roots and will be ready for planting. Unlike many other nut crops, chestnut seeds do not remain vital after drying out. The American Chestnut Foundation
Photos by Martin Cipollini and Kathy Patrick
9 CommentsComment on Facebook
A Large Surviving American!
Excellent work!
I would love to plant a few chestnuts on my property.
Phillip Hopkins
Can you buy a couple?
Jenn Schultz Gordon these were at Anna Ruby Falls!
I live in Ohio and have 70 acres how can I get a bunch of starts
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We looking to see if there might be volunteers in the Dawsonville general vicinity who might be interested in checking out three sites that were planted with chestnuts at Dawson Forest several years ago. We think +- 800 backcross hybrid chestnut trees were planted at each site (2500 total). The GA-DNR staff member who initiated the project has left, but he has shown us a map of where the trees should be. At this point, we’d just like to see if anyone is willing to get in contact with current GA-DNR staff members at Dawson Forest to get access to the sites to determine if substantial numbers of the planted trees remain. It would have to be done before leaves drop. If you might be interested, please let us know at gachestnut@gmail.com and we can forward your contact information to the appropriate people.
For general reference, see the attached map (Sites 1, 2 and 3). We can share more information and maps about each location as needed.
10 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thanks, everyone. We think we have rounded up a few folks to check these sites for us.
Very interested in helping! Sending email
I'm retired...can do it most any time.
I'm in.
Are they on the Dawson Forest part that is managed by the Georgia Forestry Georgia Forestry Commission or the part owned by GA DNR?
Ed Campbell and I live near Site 1 and may be able to help. Just emailed.
Betsy Sherrer Kiser I wonder if y'all are close enough to do this? Or someone else we know?
Pics from Site #3
Pics from site #2:
GA DNR Resource Manager here, I’m from Dawson and know those woods like the back of my hand. I can help if need be
Latest News
GA-TACF Annual Meeting May 13 2023
Calling all Georgia American Chestnut enthusiasts! The Georgia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation (GA-TACF) will hold its annual state meeting on May 13th, 2023, in Dahlonega. The meeting will be held at the University of North Georgia Health and Natural...
GA-TACF Science Progress 2022
2022 was a very productive year for the Georgia chapter of TACF and its many citizen volunteers. Here is a quick summary of progress, starting with a summary of what we've been able to accomplish in the breeding program since 2006. Seed type Crosses American chestnut...
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...