Research and Breeding
Here is information and some links to the types of research and breeding activities that GA-TACF supports.
Mother Trees
Chapter members spend hours searching the mountains and hillsides of Georgia for American chestnut root sprouts that can be placed into our breeding program. One of the Chapter’s first pure American chestnut trees was found on Springer Mountain by Thomas Fowler and placed in the breeding program during the Chapter’s first breeding season. Since then many other trees have been located with the “Klaus” tree near Warm Springs bringing attention world wide as the most southern tree in the piedmont area.
Without the help of volunteers identifying new trees, our breeding program would come to a halt. Each “mother tree” can only be used to cross with one type of resistant pollen from TACF’s Meadowview Research Farm to produce about 100 backcross trees. This is usually accomplished within 2 years. The more trees we find, the more diverse the gene pool will become.
Orchards
Once nuts are harvested from the resulting backcrosses a suitable orchard must be located to plant them. Berry College was the first to offer a site that would house over 200 trees. The University of Georgia’s Mountain Research and Education Center in Blairsville became our second backcross orchard. Since then we have received many offers for orchard sites that are now in the testing stage. We test for soil suitability, predator protection and overall tree care to determine the best locations for advanced backcross trees. If you are interested in hosting a backcross or demonstration orchard, please contact us at gachapter@acf.org.
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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
8 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!
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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
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
Pics from site #2:
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