Kentucky News

Many Miles Completed in Search for wild, full American Chestnuts Across Kentucky

Our Kentucky Volunteers have driven and hiked many miles across the state searching wild full American Chestnuts and “Snapped” them into our data base using the free TreeSnap app. We estimate that we have observed close to 4,000 wild Americans, “Snapping” 1,543 “Observations” to date. When several small Americans are found in an area, we usually will “Snap” the largest two or three trees and enter into the comments section: “Can see X number more trees in a 30 yard radius”, or something similar.

This data helps to tell us where wild trees are growing, and the type of habitat, and also tells us size of trees being found. By far, most wild Americans observed are under 1.5” dbh (“diameter breast height, which is 4.5 feet above the soil”) which is the standard measuring point. Please DO NOT measure the tree near the base swell, which distorts the tree size for our scientists.

We are especially searching for larger wild Americans (“Large” in this case means 3” or wider diameter at breast height) … and even more importantly, we are searching for wild type Americans that are flowering, which occurs in mid to late June in Kentucky.

If you find such trees, we encourage you to utilize the TreeSnap App to enter the menu listed data, including crisp photos of top and bottom of leaves that will allow us to confirm American versus Chinese. If you find such trees or if you need assistance, please email to Ken Darnell, KY Chapter enthusiast in TreeSnap: moc.rennurdaor@llenradkd and moc.liamg@45llenradnek

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Planted 17 Full American Seedlings in Partnership Germplasm Conservation Orchard at Army Corps of Engineer's Green River Lake, Taylor County Wednesday April 30, 2025

Thank you to KY TACF's long time Partners, the Army Corps of Engineers for providing the land, and deer cages for this Orchard to preserve DNA of Kentucky full American Chestnuts. Thank you to Lead Ranger Larry Lemmon, Maint. Dept's Stephen Turner, for their hands on help today, plus their mowing crew who had the site well prepared.

Additionally, special thanks to long time Partner, Steve Hartman, Scottsville, KY for sustaining his full American Orchard with Warren County DNA. Steve provided 20 nuts last fall that the KY Chapter stratified in cold storage, potted on February 12th, cared for by EKU Biology Department for several weeks, then "hardened off" on Patti Darnell's partially shaded back deck. Chapter President Ken Darnell drove the seedlings and protective tree shelters to Green River Lake today. In other words, LOTS OF TEAMWORK TO MAKE IT HAPPEN * * * * *

The Green River leaders will be planting several of our "Better" hybrid seedlings at their Office / Visitor Center for educational purposes. TACF signage is in place to help the public learn about our many actions to help RESTORE THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT. * * * * * *

We invite you to JOIN the Kentucky Team: support.tacf.org/membership Choose the Kentucky Chapter

Hannah Leeper TACF #fullamericanchestnutskentucky
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Planted 17 Full American Seedlings in Partnership Germplasm Conservation Orchard at Army Corps of Engineers Green River Lake, Taylor County      Wednesday April 30, 2025Thank you to KY TACFs long time Partners, the Army Corps of Engineers for providing the land, and deer cages for this Orchard to preserve DNA of Kentucky full American Chestnuts.    Thank you to Lead Ranger Larry Lemmon, Maint. Depts Stephen Turner, for their hands on help today, plus their mowing crew who had the site well prepared.Additionally, special thanks to long time Partner, Steve Hartman, Scottsville, KY for sustaining his full American Orchard with Warren County DNA.    Steve provided 20 nuts last fall that the KY Chapter stratified in cold storage, potted on February 12th, cared for by EKU Biology Department for several weeks, then hardened off on Patti Darnells partially shaded back deck.   Chapter President Ken Darnell drove the seedlings and protective tree shelters to Green River Lake today.    In other words, LOTS OF TEAMWORK TO MAKE IT HAPPEN     * * * * *The Green River leaders will be planting several of our Better hybrid seedlings at their Office / Visitor Center for educational purposes.   TACF signage is in place to help the public learn about our many actions to help RESTORE THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT.     * * * * * *We invite you to JOIN the Kentucky Team:      https://support.tacf.org/membership      Choose the Kentucky ChapterHannah Leeper TACF    #fullamericanchestnutskentuckyImage attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment

Planting full American Chestnut Seedlings at Kentucky Division of Forestry's Morgan County Tree Nursery
April 29, 2025

Thank you KDF Partners for providing Orchard Space for 27 new full American seedlings and for Volunteering to mow, weed eat and plant this 2025 batch of seedlings. * * * * * Thank you Charlie Saunders, Suzy Knott, Terry Stamper, Derek Stamper and our newest Volunteer Arlinda Fannin for working with Ken Darnell, KY Chapter President. This orchard preserves a variety of wild American DNA sources to utilize in future breeding to support the national American Chestnut Foundation Restoration science and actions.

Join the Kentucky Chapter: support.tacf.org/membership Select the Kentucky Chapter


Kentucky Division of Forestry Hannah Leeper TACF
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Planting full American Chestnut Seedlings at Kentucky Division of Forestrys Morgan County Tree NurseryApril 29, 2025Thank you KDF Partners for providing Orchard Space for 27 new full American seedlings and for Volunteering to mow, weed eat and plant this 2025 batch of seedlings.   * * * * *   Thank you Charlie Saunders, Suzy Knott, Terry Stamper, Derek Stamper and our newest Volunteer Arlinda Fannin for working with Ken Darnell, KY Chapter President.    This orchard preserves a variety of wild American DNA sources to utilize in future breeding to support the national American Chestnut Foundation Restoration science and actions. Join the Kentucky Chapter:     https://support.tacf.org/membership      Select the Kentucky Chapter      Kentucky Division of Forestry Hannah Leeper TACFImage attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

Call for Volunteers to help plant 16 full American Seedlings and 6 hybrid American Seedlings at Green River Lake Army Corps of Engineers Office / Visitor Center area

Wednesday April 30, 2025 Beginning 10:00 ET

We will be adding to previous plantings, in Partnership with ACE Green River Lake, Larry Lemmon, Lead Ranger.

If you live in the area, and can join us, please email to: Ken Darnell, KY Chapter President moc.rennurdaor@llenradkd or TEXT: 859 585 9520

..... and enjoy the Visitor's Center and grounds * * * * * *

Photo: June 2024 Larry Lemmon, ACE Lead Ranger (left) Keith Chasteen, KY Chapter Board Member Emeritus (right)
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Call for Volunteers to help plant 16 full American Seedlings and 6 hybrid American Seedlings at Green River Lake Army Corps of Engineers Office / Visitor Center area     Wednesday April 30, 2025       Beginning 10:00 ETWe will be adding to previous plantings, in Partnership with ACE Green River Lake, Larry Lemmon, Lead Ranger.If you live in the area, and can join us, please email to:    Ken Darnell, KY Chapter President    dkdarnell@roadrunner.com       or TEXT:       859 585 9520..... and enjoy the Visitors Center and grounds      * * * * * *Photo:     June 2024       Larry Lemmon, ACE Lead Ranger (left)      Keith Chasteen, KY Chapter Board Member Emeritus (right)
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