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 gro.fca@retpahcag.
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The American Chestnut Foundation Director of Science, Jared Westbrook, was interviewed by Ira Flatow, founder and host of Science Friday, for their podcast that is accessible on their PODCASTS webpage. The interview is a result of the publication of Jared’s (and contributors) research paper in the journal Science earlier this month. Science Friday’s podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. This is not a LIVE podcast, so it will be accessible anytime beginning the morning of Friday 2/27. Please spread the news with other chestnut enthusiasts.
www.sciencefriday.com
We produce more than just Science Friday. Check out our podcasts, including Universe of Art and Science Diction.
This is the time of the year to monitor young chestnuts (from 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter) for ambrosia beetles. Read here about how to recognize these damaging pests and how to protect your trees. Once trees are fully leafed out the risk generally dissipates.
Also, this is a good time to treat trees to prevent Phytophthora root rot. In our orchards we spray the bark of trees (up to about head height) with a 1:1 mix of water: phosphite agent (such as Reliant) plus some surfactant (such as Cide-Kick). We do this twice per year, spring before leaf-out and fall after leaf drop. This is very important because root rot is very pervasive in GA, particularly in poorly drained soils.
Also, please save the date for GA-TACF's annual meeting. It will be held at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center in Buford on May 2 (roughly 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, with lunch and a tour at the nearby Cloudland Vineyards from 1 - 3 pm. Watch for the agenda and other details via email or on our Facebook page. Members and non-members alike are welcome to attend.
Ambrosia beetle time is upon us! | The American Chestnut Foundation
tacf.org
Ambrosia beetles may soon appear in our chestnut orchards. These beetles normally start wood boring activity as soon as we get three 70oF days in a row in the early spring (usually early March in Geor...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Fun and rewarding experiences this past weekend. On Friday afternoon, The American Chestnut Foundation President and CEO Michael Goergen and Director of Development John Chastain joined us for the DDC Friends of the American Chestnut Arbor Day Restoration Celebration at Preserve Life in Douglas County. GA-TACF's President Dr. Martin Cipollini and Treasurer Vince Payne also attended. The event was hosted by Dot Padgett and included many Douglasville City and Douglas County dignitaries. Speakers included Preserve Life owner/developer Vijay Thotakura, Dot Padgett, The Honorable Ramona Jackson Jones (Chair, Douglas County BOC), The Honorable Rochelle Robinson (Mayor, City of Douglasville), and her husband Jeff Robinson of Preserve Life. The event was held to dedicate a planting of American chestnuts from The American Chestnut Foundation on the Preserve Life grounds with hopes of expanded plantings in the future.
On Saturday, we were able to distribute about 100 chestnut seedlings to 25 different individuals at our distribution event at Trees Atlanta, dodging a pretty incredible rainstorm in the morning hours. Trees Atlanta staff/GA-TACF board member Brian Williams assisted Dr. Cipollini. Former board member and active volunteer Dale Higdon also stopped by.
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