Indiana Chapter

About Us

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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Early bird registration for the 2024 American Chestnut Symposium closes on Sunday, September 22. Take advantage of this special discounted rate before it's too late!

The event takes place the evening of Friday, October 25th and Saturday, October 26th, and will be jam-packed with speakers, tours, and special guests. Read about the entire event at the link: tacf.org/2024-american-chestnut-symposium/
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Carolina friends, want to help harvest hybrid American chestnuts? You'll have a chance this weekend! Visit the link for all the information and to RSVP. preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/1001266/132117206160901386 ... See MoreSee Less

Carolina friends, want to help harvest hybrid American chestnuts? Youll have a chance this weekend! Visit the link for all the information and to RSVP. https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/1001266/132117206160901386

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Deer are harvesting our chestnuts this year (also in NC). We have 3 huge chestnut trees that were here when we bought our home over 20 years ago. I’ve never eaten one.

Bug is a polydactyl or Hemingway cat, which means he has an extra toe. He doesn't know how to use his extra toe (yet). He does know how to sit on command and enjoys sleeping, making his body really long, and observing nature.

He's very sociable and loves car rides (he even got into a neighbor's car and went on a school pickup run!) as well as walks around the neighborhood with his people.

He lives with Christine, TACF's Operations Specialist.
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Remember this beautiful painting by ME Chapter President Mark McCollough? He donated his time and talent to TACF last year, selling prints of this gorgeous piece to benefit the restoration of American chestnuts. He's using his skills to help more than just American chestnuts, though, and you can read all about the recent award he won for his efforts here: wildlife.org/mark-mccollough-receives-ding-darling-memorial-award/ ... See MoreSee Less

Remember this beautiful painting by ME Chapter President Mark McCollough? He donated his time and talent to TACF last year, selling prints of this gorgeous piece to benefit the restoration of American chestnuts.  Hes using his skills to help more than just American chestnuts, though, and you can read all about the recent award he won for his efforts here: https://wildlife.org/mark-mccollough-receives-ding-darling-memorial-award/

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Beautiful painting

Join us on Friday, September 20, 2024, from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (EPT), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat.

TOPIC: Assisting Evolution: The History of American Chestnut Breeding and New Innovations

Special guests Mike Aucott, John Scrivani, and Jared Westbrook will discuss American chestnut breeding from the 1950s to the present, exploring various methods, goals, and the results that have been achieved. Learn more and register here: tacf.org/event/chestnut-chat-american-chestnut-breeding-history-and-innovations/
... See MoreSee Less

Join us on Friday, September 20, 2024, from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (EPT), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat.

TOPIC: Assisting Evolution: The History of American Chestnut Breeding and New Innovations

Special guests Mike Aucott, John Scrivani, and Jared Westbrook will discuss American chestnut breeding from the 1950s to the present, exploring various methods, goals, and the results that have been achieved. Learn more and register here: https://tacf.org/event/chestnut-chat-american-chestnut-breeding-history-and-innovations/

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

I have 6 trees

Can anyone tell by this pic if these are American or Chinese?

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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

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...

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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...

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