Kentucky News

The Faith of Planting Chestnuts and Chinquapins

Looking at the bare rock mine surface from a reclamation research project in Eastern Kentucky, most of us would have little faith that much would grow on such a soiless surface.

However in 2007, Michael French was a big part of a U of KY Research Team, who planted several tree species, including full and hybrid American Chestnuts, in a variety of test plots seeking best practices for mine reclamation. Michael used this research for his Master’s Thesis at UK.

In this plot of mixed mine rock, several Allegheny Chinquapin nuts were planted with tree shelters as protection against wildlife predation. Note the planting, by Team Member Terry Stamper, in the drill bore hole that blasted chunks of rock when the mining of coal was active. A variety of hardwood tree species, including American Chestnuts, were planted in the other plots.

In the two following photos on March 8, 2023, Michael was delighted to find at least 10 surviving Chinquapins (Castanea pumila), including the one planted in the bore hole. Even better, was to find several of the trees producing fertile burrs and nuts. Multiple other tree and weed species are also growing, thanks to birds.

From this large project, Michael went on to a career in leading crews in plantings of multiple tree species, including American chestnuts, with KY TACF Partner, GREEN FOREST WORKS, based in Lexington, KY. Their story is much too large for a single Post. Check out their website:

https://www.greenforestswork.org/

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Kentucky Chapter Display at KY WOOD EXPO 2023, Masterson Station Park, Lexington, KY

Friday September 15th, Saturday September 16th

Thank you to our Volunteers who set up and crewed the Kentucky Chapter Display Booth: Ken Darnell, Patti Darnell, Keith Chasteen, Charlie Saunders, Amos Stone, Jimmy Sizemore, Ellen Crocker and "Bash", Rick Caldwell, Scott Freidhoff.

Thank you to KFIA (Kentucky Forest Industries) for organizing this event every two years with 5-6,000 visitors. This was their 35th Kentucky Wood Expo, with two days of many displays, competitions and demonstrations.

We enjoyed talking with fellow "Chestnutters", Partners, and Visitors to share Actions underway by TACF and by the KY Chapter. Several new contacts were made with Follow Up communications committed to them.

@Kentucky Division of Forestry, @The American Chestnut Foundation, @Kentucky Forestry Industries Association, @Cassie Stark, @Hannah Leeper, @U.S. Forest Service-Daniel Boone National Forest, @KWOA, @UK Forestry Extension
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Kentucky Chapter Display at KY WOOD EXPO 2023, Masterson Station Park, Lexington, KY

Friday September 15th, Saturday September 16th

Thank you to our Volunteers who set up and crewed the Kentucky Chapter Display Booth:      Ken Darnell, Patti Darnell, Keith Chasteen, Charlie Saunders, Amos Stone, Jimmy Sizemore, Ellen Crocker and Bash, Rick Caldwell, Scott Freidhoff.      

Thank you to KFIA (Kentucky Forest Industries) for organizing this event every two years with 5-6,000 visitors.   This was their 35th Kentucky Wood Expo, with two days of many displays, competitions and demonstrations.

We enjoyed talking with fellow Chestnutters, Partners, and Visitors to share Actions underway by TACF and by the KY Chapter.   Several new contacts were made with Follow Up communications committed to them.

@Kentucky Division of Forestry, @The American Chestnut Foundation, @Kentucky Forestry Industries Association, @Cassie Stark, @Hannah Leeper, @U.S. Forest Service-Daniel Boone National Forest, @KWOA, @UK Forestry ExtensionImage attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment

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Kentucky Division of Forestry, The American Chestnut Foundation,

KENTUCKY WOOD EXPO 2023
Friday September 15th & Saturday 16th

Masterson Station Park, Lexington, KY

The KY Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation will have a Display Booth at Spaces 20 & 21. Come by to meet us and to hear the latest American Chestnut news. * * * *

This year marks the 35th Kentucky Wood Expo, which has been ranked as one of the top 10 events in Kentucky by the Tourism Council. We are celebrating 40 years of the Kentucky Wood Expo also known as the Kentucky Logging Show which began in 1983 in Morehead, KY. An expected 3,000-5,000 visitors from around the region will be on hand.

The Kentucky Wood Expo will feature over 75 inside and outside exhibits and demonstrations for everyone to enjoy. Sawmill, pallet, logging, secondary, and all types of wood processing machinery will be on display along with a wide range of support services. Inside and outside exhibit spaces will be filled. Educational displays will also be present, and a number of groups will be available to talk forest management and the promising future of the wood industry in Kentucky. Landowner and Logger education classes will be conducted during the show on both days which will provide plenty of advice on how to properly manage forests and the many benefits that they provide to everyone.

Along with the industry exhibits, a number of activities will be taking place for the entire family to enjoy. Activities will include chain saw carving demonstrations, collegiate lumberjack competitions, knuckle boom loader and log skidding contests, monster log weight guess, craft displays and a silent auction to benefit Log a Load for Kids and the Kentucky Children’s Hospital. An educational program open to all students will take place on Friday, September 15th and a woodworking class on both days will offer a chance for attendees to make their own free cutting board.

Show your support for the wood industry which is one of the largest manufacturing industries in Kentucky. The show offers something for everyone. Advanced tickets can be purchased for only $5 by calling the KFIA office at 502/695-3979. Parking is free and entry to the show costs only $7.00 at the gate and $5.00 for children age 6-12 (children under 6 are free). The grounds will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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KENTUCKY WOOD EXPO 2023
Friday September 15th & Saturday 16th

Masterson Station Park, Lexington, KY

The KY Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation will have a Display Booth at Spaces 20 & 21.   Come by to meet us and to hear the latest American Chestnut news.  * * * * 

This year marks the 35th Kentucky Wood Expo, which has been ranked as one of the top 10 events in Kentucky by the Tourism Council.  We are celebrating 40 years of the Kentucky Wood Expo also known as the Kentucky Logging Show which began in 1983 in Morehead, KY.  An expected 3,000-5,000 visitors from around the region will be on hand.

The Kentucky Wood Expo will feature over 75 inside and outside exhibits and demonstrations for everyone to enjoy.  Sawmill, pallet, logging, secondary, and all types of wood processing machinery will be on display along with a wide range of support services.  Inside and outside exhibit spaces will be filled.  Educational displays will also be present, and a number of groups will be available to talk forest management and the promising future of the wood industry in Kentucky.  Landowner and Logger education classes will be conducted during the show on both days which will provide plenty of advice on how to properly manage forests and the many benefits that they provide to everyone.    

Along with the industry exhibits, a number of activities will be taking place for the entire family to enjoy.  Activities will include chain saw carving demonstrations, collegiate lumberjack competitions, knuckle boom loader and log skidding contests, monster log weight guess, craft displays and a silent auction to benefit Log a Load for Kids and the Kentucky Children’s Hospital.  An educational program open to all students will take place on Friday, September 15th and a woodworking class on both days will offer a chance for attendees to make their own free cutting board.

Show your support for the wood industry which is one of the largest manufacturing industries in Kentucky.  The show offers something for everyone.  Advanced tickets can be purchased for only $5 by calling the KFIA office at 502/695-3979.  Parking is free and entry to the show costs only $7.00 at the gate and $5.00 for children age 6-12 (children under 6 are free).  The grounds will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.Image attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment

KY Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation ANNUAL MEETING at Berea College Forestry Outreach Center

We were pleased to see 42 of our 47 RSVP's join us in Berea College Forest in our Annual Meeting, where we also celebrated TACF's 40th Anniversary. * * * * * *

Science updates were provided by Cassie Stark, Regional Science Coordinator for MD, WV, VA, KY, and Dr. Jared Westbrook, TACF Science Director. TACF Southern Outreach Coordinator Hannah Leeper presented the TACF Video "Clear Day Thunder". Other speakers provided brief updates. Colorful Displays were set up both sides of the meeting room.

We scheduled plenty of "Social Time" for our Members and Guests to chat in small groups.

The meeting was followed by an optional hike into Berea College Forest to see Forester Clint Patterson's (and also KY Board Member), large "in situ" wild American Chestnut Orchard.

The American Chestnut Foundation, Berea College Forestry Outreach Center, Kentucky Department of Agriculture,
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KY Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation ANNUAL MEETING at Berea College Forestry Outreach Center

We were pleased to see 42 of our 47 RSVPs join us in Berea College Forest in our Annual Meeting, where we also celebrated TACFs 40th Anniversary.    * * * * * *
  
Science updates were provided by Cassie Stark, Regional Science Coordinator for MD, WV, VA, KY, and Dr. Jared Westbrook, TACF Science Director.   TACF Southern Outreach Coordinator Hannah Leeper presented the TACF Video Clear Day Thunder.  Other speakers provided brief updates.   Colorful Displays were set up both sides of the meeting  room.

We scheduled plenty of Social Time for our Members and Guests to chat in small groups.

The meeting was followed by an optional hike into Berea College Forest to see Forester Clint Pattersons (and also KY Board Member), large in situ wild American Chestnut Orchard.

The American Chestnut Foundation, Berea College Forestry Outreach Center, Kentucky Department of Agriculture,Image attachmentImage attachment+8Image attachment

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The American Chestnut Foundation Ken Darnell and the Kentucky Chapter put on a fabulous meeting in Berea this past weekend! We were so glad to be able to be there to celebrate the 40th anniversary and mingle with everyone 🙂

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