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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KY Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation will be at Kentucky Wood Expo, September 19-20 Masterson Station Park, Lexington

Friday September 19 & Saturday September 20 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Kids $5 Adults $7

The Kentucky Wood Expo returns to Masterson Station Park on the north side of Lexington, KY, on September 19 and 20. The Expo draws up to 3,000 visitors from the region.

This family-friendly event is the premier gathering for the forest products and wood industries, with approximately 80 exhibits and demonstrations.

The Kentucky Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation will set up a two-booth display. Come see the events and come visit with us in our large indoor booth. See the KY Wood Expo website for their large variety of live events. www.kfia.org/Page/55/kentucky-wood-expo-kfia-wood-expo
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KY Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation will be at Kentucky Wood Expo, September 19-20      Masterson Station Park, LexingtonFriday September 19 &  Saturday September 20       @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm              Kids $5     Adults $7The Kentucky Wood Expo returns to Masterson Station Park on the north side of Lexington, KY, on September 19 and 20. The Expo draws up to 3,000 visitors from the region.    This family-friendly event is the premier gathering for the forest products and wood industries, with approximately 80 exhibits and demonstrations. The Kentucky Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation will set up a two-booth display. Come see the events and come visit with us in our large indoor booth. See the KY Wood Expo website for their large variety of live events.          https://www.kfia.org/Page/55/kentucky-wood-expo-kfia-wood-expoImage attachmentImage attachment

3 CommentsComment on Facebook

Hi John. Good question. That's a cousin of American Chestnut, Chinquapin Oak, Quercus muehlenbergii. Chestnuts and oaks are in the same family of Fagacae, but are two different species: Castanea for chestnut and Quercus for oaks. They do have very similar leaves, but all the other tree characteristics for your tree, are oak. Thank you for asking. Ken Darnell, KY Chapter President

i've sold chestnut lumber on feebay.

The American Chestnut Foundation - Kentucky Chapter any help with this tree? Trigg county Kentucky on property that has never been logged.

KY Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation's ANNUAL MEETING at Kentucky National Guard's Hybrid Orchard in South East Kentucky Saturday September 6, 2025

Presentations: Lt. Col. (retired) Dave Jackson: KY NG Supporting Chestnut Orchards. Cassie Stark, TACF Regional Science Coordinator: TACF Science Update. Lynn Garrison: Chestnuts on Pine Mountain. Ken Darnell: New KY TACF Board Members and Board Members Emeritus. Lunch by Patti Darnell and Julia Griffin with Social Time. Fun and Fund Raising via Silent Auction and 50/50 Cash Raffle. Followed by Orchard Tour led by Cassie Stark and Dave Jackson.

Thank you to everyone who attended and donated time and $$$. Thank you to our KY National Guard Partner * * * * * *
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KY Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundations ANNUAL MEETING at  Kentucky National Guards Hybrid Orchard in South East Kentucky     Saturday September 6, 2025Presentations:     Lt. Col. (retired) Dave Jackson:    KY NG Supporting Chestnut Orchards.     Cassie Stark, TACF Regional Science Coordinator:      TACF Science Update.    Lynn Garrison:    Chestnuts on Pine Mountain.     Ken Darnell:    New KY TACF Board Members and Board Members Emeritus.    Lunch by Patti Darnell and Julia Griffin with Social Time.    Fun and Fund Raising via Silent Auction and 50/50 Cash Raffle.    Followed by Orchard Tour led by Cassie Stark and Dave Jackson.    Thank you to everyone who attended and donated time and $$$.    Thank you to our KY National Guard Partner     * * * * * *Image attachmentImage attachment+5Image attachment

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Can someone tell me what type of acorn this is?

Join us for KY-TACF's 2025 Chapter Meeting in Artemus, KY (Outside of Barbourville, KY)

Date: Saturday September 6th 2025

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST

Location: KY National Guard Training Room, 537 TVA Road, Artemus, KY 40903
(3rd building on the left, cream colored metal building)

Hotel "Quality Inn" available in nearby Barboursville, KY

The Kentucky Chapter is excited to host our annual meeting at the Kentucky National Guard Training Center! This meeting includes opportunities to hear from TACF staff, KY Board Members, and researchers about all things American Chestnut including the latest and greatest in Chestnut Science.
You can also explore nearby Pine Mountain State Resort Park.

Come see chestnut breeding in action in our KY National Guard Orchard! All are Welcome / KY Members and Non Members * * * * * *

We invite you to bring a "Plus One" ..... or even a "Plus Two" 🙂

TO RSVP: Email KY Chapter President Ken Darnell: moc.rennurdaor@llenradkd

No Entrance Fee **** Lunch provided by KY Chapter **** We will hold a silent auction of donated items and will host a Cash $$$$$ 50/50 Raffle to defer costs 🙂

Schedule of events:
8:00-8:30AM - Social time, snacks and coffee
8:30-8:45AM - KY President Ken Darnell introduces attendees + silent auction items
8:45-9:30AM - KY Board Member and Meeting Host, Lt. Col. Dave Jackson (ret.) provides an overview of the KY National Guard Harold Disney Base and his work as KY N.G. Environmental Coordinator (We will discuss details of the TACF / KY N.G. hybrid orchard during the tour)
9:30-9:50 - Break, social time
9:50-10:50 - TACF Regional Science Coordinator Cassie Stark presents science update + Q&A
10:50-11:30 - KY Board Member Lynn Garrison presents about American chestnuts on Pine Mountain
11:30-12:00 - Annual board/officer elections
12:00-12:45 - Lunch (provided by Patti Darnell) and social time
12:45-2:00 - Hybrid Chestnut Orchard Tour lead by Dave Jackson and Cassie Stark, including an overview of orchard history, recent actions by KY-TACF, and next steps (orchard is within sight of the meeting room)

Kentucky Division of Forestry Hannah Leeper
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Join us for KY-TACFs 2025 Chapter Meeting in Artemus, KY     (Outside of Barbourville, KY)Date:          Saturday September 6th 2025Time:          8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.   ESTLocation:    KY National Guard Training Room, 537 TVA Road, Artemus, KY     40903 (3rd building on the left, cream colored metal building)Hotel Quality Inn available in nearby Barboursville, KYThe Kentucky Chapter is excited to host our annual meeting at the Kentucky National Guard Training Center! This meeting includes opportunities to hear from TACF staff, KY Board Members, and researchers about all things American Chestnut including the latest and greatest in Chestnut Science. You can also explore nearby Pine Mountain State Resort Park. Come see chestnut breeding in action in our KY National Guard Orchard!     All are Welcome / KY Members and Non Members   * * * * * *We invite you to bring a Plus One  .....   or even a Plus Two        🙂TO RSVP:      Email KY Chapter President Ken Darnell:       dkdarnell@roadrunner.comNo Entrance Fee   ****    Lunch provided by KY Chapter    ****      We will hold a silent auction of donated items and will host a Cash $$$$$ 50/50 Raffle  to defer costs     🙂 Schedule of events:8:00-8:30AM - Social time, snacks and coffee8:30-8:45AM - KY President Ken Darnell introduces attendees + silent auction items8:45-9:30AM - KY Board Member and Meeting Host, Lt. Col. Dave Jackson (ret.) provides an overview of the KY National Guard Harold Disney Base and his work as KY N.G. Environmental Coordinator (We will discuss details of the TACF / KY N.G. hybrid orchard during the tour)9:30-9:50 - Break, social time9:50-10:50 - TACF Regional Science Coordinator Cassie Stark presents science update + Q&A10:50-11:30 - KY Board Member Lynn Garrison presents about American chestnuts on Pine Mountain11:30-12:00 - Annual board/officer elections12:00-12:45 - Lunch (provided by Patti Darnell) and social time12:45-2:00 - Hybrid Chestnut Orchard Tour lead by Dave Jackson and Cassie Stark, including an overview of orchard history, recent actions by KY-TACF, and next steps (orchard is within sight of the meeting room)Kentucky Division of Forestry     Hannah LeeperImage attachmentImage attachment
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