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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National Facebook
The restoration of the American chestnut requires both innovative science and a deep appreciation for the tree's cultural legacy.
We're grateful to see those stories highlighted in this recent news segment featuring TACF's Director of Communications, Jules Smith, and Director of Science, Jared Westbrook. The piece explores promising research into chestnut blight resistance and why restoring the American chestnut remains so important today.
You may recognize the closing quote: “Losing the chestnut tree was like losing a family member.” That's actually a quote from Dolly Parton, featured in our documentary Clear Day Thunder. Jules shared it in the interview because it beautifully captures what the loss of the American chestnut meant to so many Appalachian families. To learn more about Dolly's connection to the American chestnut and find out how to watch the documentary, visit our website.
Watch the clip, then visit the following link to see the full article and video: www.wbir.com/article/tech/science/environment/researchers-work-to-bring-back-the-american-chestnu...
1 CommentComment on Facebook
And then Trump will destroy them
UPDATE: Since the announcement of Project Tamarack, many members of our community have asked about the future of the American chestnut grove at Clements State Tree Nursery.
The quote featured in this post comes directly from the Project Tamarack website and states that the American chestnut grove will not be affected by the planned data center development.
As we continue to follow developments related to this project, we remain committed to sharing accurate information and updates with our community.
Source: Project Tamarack FAQ
#americanchestnut #WestVirgina #clements #forestry
24 CommentsComment on Facebook
The American Chestnut Foundation, I live nearby. We now know Tamarack is a different project further north. This site is the second phase of the Monarch Campus being developed by Nscale. Div of Forestry operated the nursery but DNR owned the land, which is in the process of being sold to the developer. I spoke to both of those agencies within the last few days.
The orchard is on the Monarch data center site, not the Tamarack site.
Feels like the entire USA needs to stand together to save the ecosystem. Same thing is happening in Driftless, USA. Our forest is full of butternuts, among other amazing, ecological wonders.
Recently, 45 students in grades 5-8 at Christ the King Church & School in Rutland, Vermont, helped harvest American chestnuts from trees planted by 8th graders back in 2019. Students opened burs, explored fertile and sterile seeds, felt the unique textures of the burs, and learned about the history of the American chestnut and the restoration efforts underway today.
A special thank you to TACF member Thomas Estill for leading this engaging experience and helping connect students with one of America's most iconic native trees. The students can't wait to roast them this week and experience that sweet starchy flavor.
#AmericanChestnut #ChestnutRestoration #EnvironmentalEducation #FutureForesters #STEMeducation
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Are they blight resistant?
I did the same with a group of middle school students in northern lower Michigan. I was able to show them both young trees I had planted and mature trees more than likely planted by pioneer settlers to the area in the 1850's. The same family still owns the land the mature trees are on. The mature trees look healthy and are all 40+ feet tall-must have been planted beyond the blight line.
What a wonderful thing! We recently had three biology classes at Robin Hill Nature Preserve. It was a thrill to see the kids asking questions, making sketches and filling their notebooks.
"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
52 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.
Latest News
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...
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...
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...