Indiana Chapter
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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.

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Rogueing has officially begun! Late last year, Meadowview Research Farm staff selected the best trees in our 2018 progeny test to be genetically tested this year, and now our Director of Land Management, Dan McKinnon, is removing the trees that weren’t selected. The 2017 progeny test is also being cleared to make way for future plantings. Removing undesirable trees on a regular basis provides space for the trees of tomorrow.

#AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience
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3 CommentsComment on Facebook

if you dug them I am sure some of us could plant them.. i mean if there is a chance they make it

Can't you replant the "undesirable " trees else where as they're important to the earth breathing.

Thanks, Dan!

The PA/NJ Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation is having a Spring Growers meeting on March 28, 2026 from 9:30am - 3:30pm

Expert speakers: Michael Goergen, Allen Dietrich-Ward, Noah Vincent, and Lake Graboski

$30 ticket price includes breakfast and lunch!

All are welcome! Learn more at PANJTACF.org

It will be held at The Centennial Barn at Fort Hunter Mansion
5395 N. Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17110

#americanchestnut #meeting #getinvolved #nonprofit #explorepage
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The PA/NJ Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation is having a Spring Growers meeting on March 28, 2026 from 9:30am - 3:30pmExpert speakers: Michael Goergen, Allen Dietrich-Ward, Noah Vincent, and Lake Graboski$30 ticket price includes breakfast and lunch!All are welcome! Learn more at PANJTACF.org It will be held at The Centennial Barn at Fort Hunter Mansion5395 N. Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17110#americanchestnut #meeting #getinvolved #nonprofit #explorepage

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Sorry I will miss this! I have to be at our SAWN-PA forest workshop.

In collaboration with us, the off-road park, Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA), has participated in planting American chestnut trees across their property.

"Off-road parks do not always have a reputation for environmental stewardship, which makes AOAA’s conservation work genuinely surprising and worth highlighting."

Check out the article "This Rugged Pennsylvania Off-Roading Playground Sits In The Heart Of Coal Country" to learn more about the AOAA: everafterinthewoods.com/this-rugged-pennsylvania-off-roading-playground-sits-in-the-heart-of-coal...

Images from AOAA socials.

#americanchestnut #chestnuts #conservation #outdoorrecreation #explorepage
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In collaboration with us, the off-road park, Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA), has participated in planting American chestnut trees across their property. Off-road parks do not always have a reputation for environmental stewardship, which makes AOAA’s conservation work genuinely surprising and worth highlighting. Check out the article This Rugged Pennsylvania Off-Roading Playground Sits In The Heart Of Coal Country to learn more about the AOAA: https://everafterinthewoods.com/this-rugged-pennsylvania-off-roading-playground-sits-in-the-heart-of-coal-country/ Images from AOAA socials.#americanchestnut #chestnuts #conservation #outdoorrecreation #explorepageImage attachment

TACF’s Director of Development, John, and Director of Communications, Jules, had a great time tabling at an event for the one-year anniversary Tree Museum Birthday Gala. Despite the rainy weather, the gala planted trees, roasted chestnuts, and hosted a ticketed “Tree Walk” that sold out.

#americanchestnut #trees #explorepage #chestnuts #nature
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Meadowview Research Farm’s staff members Jim Tolton and Lucinda Wigfield joined Terry Sharik and Bob Ford in monitoring Round Leaf Birch (Betula uber) plots last week. This rare tree species is endemic to Marion, Virginia, meaning it naturally occurs nowhere else in the world. To help conserve it, progeny tests were planted to study how seedlings from different parent trees grow and survive. During this monitoring visit, we focused on counting male catkins, which produce pollen, that play a key role in reproduction. Tracking flowering and catkin production helps researchers understand the trees’ health, reproductive potential, and long-term conservation success.

#AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience
... See MoreSee Less

Meadowview Research Farm’s staff members Jim Tolton and Lucinda Wigfield joined Terry Sharik and Bob Ford in monitoring Round Leaf Birch (Betula uber) plots last week. This rare tree species is endemic to Marion, Virginia, meaning it naturally occurs nowhere else in the world. To help conserve it, progeny tests were planted to study how seedlings from different parent trees grow and survive. During this monitoring visit, we focused on counting male catkins, which produce pollen, that play a key role in reproduction. Tracking flowering and catkin production helps researchers understand the trees’ health, reproductive potential, and long-term conservation success. #AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience
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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...

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Pure American chestnut harvest at Duke orchard

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New germplasm conservation orchard (GCO) in Clinton county

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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...

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