Indiana Chapter
IN-TACF Chapter Logo

Contact us at gro.fcat@retpahCNI

Our Mission

To restore the American chestnut tree to its native range within the woodlands of the eastern United States, using a scientific research and breeding program developed by its founders.

The American Chestnut Foundation is restoring a species – and in the process, creating a template for restoration of other tree and plant species.

The Indiana Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation is tasked with developing regionally adapted families of American chestnut trees (ie, specific to Indiana mother trees) and other state-related tasks.

The Indiana Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation is tasked with developing regionally adapted families of American chestnut trees (ie, specific to Indiana mother trees) and other state-related tasks.

Meadowview (TACF’s main orchard in Virginia) harvested its first blight-resistant nuts in 2005. Indiana has 2 completed families and has begun reforestation trials with potentially blight-resistant American-type trees, using sound ecological principles. The return of the American chestnut to its former niche in the Appalachian hardwood forest eco-system is a major restoration project that requires a multi-faceted effort involving 6,000 members and volunteers, research, sustained funding and most important, a sense of the past and a hope for the future.

Indiana Chapter Menu

National Facebook

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

... See MoreSee Less

"American chestnut trees were wiped out more than a century ago. Now, new trees that are fungus-resistant are being planted at the zoo."

Read this article by the New York Times about a chestnut tree planting today at the Bronx Zoo, where chestnut blight was first discovered.

Click the following link to read the article: www.nytimes.com/2026/10/05/nyregion/chestnut-trees-bronx-zoo.html?unlocked_article_code=1.GVE.LAU...

#news #americanchestnut #explore #NY #forestry
... See MoreSee Less

American chestnut trees were wiped out more than a century ago. Now, new trees that are fungus-resistant are being planted at the zoo.Read this article by the New York Times about a chestnut tree planting today at the Bronx Zoo, where chestnut blight was first discovered. Click the following link to read the article:  https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/05/nyregion/chestnut-trees-bronx-zoo.html?unlocked_article_code=1.GVE.LAUd.6FTRdUqLEmBm&smid=nytcore-ios-share#news #americanchestnut #explore #NY #forestry

47 CommentsComment on Facebook

We had a chestnut tree in the yard of an air bnb in Washington's Crossing, PA.

They are hybrid trees, not full American.

Utter waste of time. They’ll be dead from the blight in 50 years just like all true Anerican chestnut trees. These scientists are creating hybrids because they cannot stop the blight.

View more comments

We're grateful to see the important work of American chestnut restoration highlighted by Wild Appalachia.

The segment features WV Chapter member Mark Double and TACF partner Dr. Amy Metheny of WVU, who share why restoring this iconic native tree matters and the progress being made in West Virginia and beyond.

Watch the whole video or read the article here: wchstv.com/community/wild-appalachia/wild-appalachia-american-chestnut-restoration
... See MoreSee Less

3 CommentsComment on Facebook

my daughter in mt pleasant ny ( catskills) has a huge american chestnut tree in front of her 1904 home. somehow it missed the blight

I just sent this as email to Governor Morrisey in West Virginia. Please do the same and send to everyone and anyone who may be able to help in an effort to save Clements Nursery American Chestnut Grove. "Dear Governor Morrisey. I have learned that a private corporation plans to destroy the grove of American Chestnut trees at Clements Nursery. For the love of god and all that is good in this world please help to preserve these American Chestnut trees. There are not that many genuine American Chestnut trees that are still growing and what you have there in West Virginia is a national treasure that cannot be replaced with any amount of money, gold or riches. I among with many other multi generational Americans believe this grove of trees should be a treasured working national historic landmark producing seeds and seedling for reestablishing genuine pure American Chestnut trees in our Appalachian Mountains and throughout our country."

They are planning to destroy the site on Nov. 1, 2026 for a data center 🙁

October is packed with opportunities to support American chestnut restoration! Join us in shucking chestnuts for open-fire roasting this winter and next spring’s plantings, or celebrate at an American Chestnut Festival near you. Don’t see an event hosted by your Chapter? Reach out to learn how you can help during the busy harvest season.

Need more information about an event? Visit: tacf.org/events/category/tacf/
... See MoreSee Less

October is packed with opportunities to support American chestnut restoration! Join us in shucking chestnuts for open-fire roasting this winter and next spring’s plantings, or celebrate at an American Chestnut Festival near you. Don’t see an event hosted by your Chapter? Reach out to learn how you can help during the busy harvest season.Need more information about an event? Visit: https://tacf.org/events/category/tacf/Image attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment

3 CommentsComment on Facebook

I just sent this as email to Governor Morrisey in West Virginia. Please do the same and send to everyone and anyone who may be able to help in an effort to save Clements Nursery American Chestnut Grove. "Dear Governor Morrisey. I have learned that a private corporation plans to destroy the grove of American Chestnut trees at Clements Nursery. For the love of god and all that is good in this world please help to preserve these American Chestnut trees. There are not that many genuine American Chestnut trees that are still growing and what you have there in West Virginia is a national treasure that cannot be replaced with any amount of money, gold or riches. I among with many other multi generational Americans believe this grove of trees should be a treasured working national historic landmark producing seeds and seedling for reestablishing genuine pure American Chestnut trees in our Appalachian Mountains and throughout our country."

And just FYI, Umit Sedar, OMU (university) in Turkey got a lot of seed from Lockwood for their breeding program. Yes, I will join the zoom meeting on the 9th. Sandy

Why aren't you folks screaming about the Clements Tree Farm destruction? 2/3 for a data center??? The destruction is supposed to be underway Nov 1st! What are the arborists doing to at least save whats on those 100 acres? Why isn't this in your newsletter and website?

Load more

Latest News

Indiana Chapter Annual Meeting

Indiana Chapter Annual Meeting

This year the Indiana Chapter of TACF will hold an in-person annual meeting. The date is January 14, 2023. The location is the Fitness Farm of Indianapolis. Our chapter science officer, Jim McKenna, has generously arranged for us to use a room at Fitness Farm at no...

read more
Pure American chestnut harvest at Duke orchard

Pure American chestnut harvest at Duke orchard

Duke orchard is a germplasm conservation orchard started with a generous contribution from Duke Energy Company. Many of the trees have produced nuts for a number of years. Some years pollen is applied in spring to produce controlled crosses. This year the trees were...

read more
New germplasm conservation orchard (GCO) in Clinton county

New germplasm conservation orchard (GCO) in Clinton county

This orchard was established three years ago to preserve the genetic material of the Indiana American chestnuts at the Duke orchard at Purdue. The Duke trees were all cloned from old existing chestnuts from all over Indiana. Unfortunately, the Duke chestnuts have all...

read more