Maryland Chapter
MD-TACF Chapter Logo

Contact us at gro.fcat@retpahCDM

About Us 

 

News and Social Media

Our Summer Newsletter is here!

The Fall Membership Meeting is scheduled for October 18, 2026 at the Milkhouse Brewery.  Click for here details

The American Chestnut Symposium & Fall Meeting: Restoration Now! is scheduled for November 5-7 in Greenbelt, MD.  For more information click here.

Here are the links to: the Maryland Chapter’s Photo Gallery, our private Facebook page, and our Instagram page.

Our Mission

The Maryland Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation has been formed to support the efforts of the national organization to restore the American chestnut tree, to identify and preserve American chestnut survivors in Maryland, and to promote educational and scientific research efforts directed at restoring American chestnuts in Maryland.

TACF members in Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia comprise the Maryland Chapter.

 

Chapter Information

Useful Links

How Can I Help?

The best way to learn of our activities and of the volunteer opportunities is to join our Google mail list.

To volunteer or to obtain more information concerning orchard maintenance activities or Chapter display events please contact us at moc.kooltuo@FCATDM or subscribe to our Orchard Volunteers Google Group.

Maryland Chapter Menu

National Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Have a great photo of an American chestnut tree, bloom, bur, leaf, restoration planting, volunteer event, or wildlife interaction? We'd love to see it! (Photo pictured taken by 2025 2rd place winner Eric Sizemore)

First Place receives:
- Their photo featured on the cover of a future issue of Chestnut magazine
- A one-year TACF Seed Level Membership (a $300 value!)
- TACF merchandise

Second and Third Place winners will receive:
- TACF swag
- Recognition alongside the first-place winner in the 2027 Spring/Summer issue of Chestnut.

Submit your entries by December 31, 2026.

Visit the following link for more information and complete submission details: tacf.org/2026-photo-contest/

#AmericanChestnut #PhotoContest #TACF #ChestnutMagazine #ConservationPhotography #ForestRestoration #NaturePhotography
... See MoreSee Less

Have a great photo of an American chestnut tree, bloom, bur, leaf, restoration planting, volunteer event, or wildlife interaction? Wed love to see it! (Photo pictured taken by 2025 2rd place winner Eric Sizemore)First Place receives: - Their photo featured on the cover of a future issue of Chestnut magazine- A one-year TACF Seed Level Membership (a $300 value!) - TACF merchandiseSecond and Third Place winners will receive: - TACF swag - Recognition alongside the first-place winner in the 2027 Spring/Summer issue of Chestnut.Submit your entries by December 31, 2026.Visit the following link for more information and complete submission details: https://tacf.org/2026-photo-contest/ #AmericanChestnut #PhotoContest #TACF #ChestnutMagazine #ConservationPhotography #ForestRestoration #NaturePhotography

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Josh Roudebush win it all bro I might know a few big boys for the shot

A bee enjoying a well deserved break after the chestnut pollination period. The tree it rests on is a hybrid castanea pumila x alabamensis (dwarf chestnut x Alabama chinquapin). ... See MoreSee Less

A bee enjoying a well deserved break after the chestnut pollination period. The tree it rests on is a hybrid castanea pumila x alabamensis (dwarf chestnut x Alabama chinquapin).Image attachmentImage attachment

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Voles got my chestnut, planted spring 2025

August Events! Double check with your states Chapter about events in your area.

Visit the following link for more information on the events: tacf.org/events/category/tacf/

#americanchestnut #Connecticut #NorthCarolina #SouthCarolina #getinvolved
... See MoreSee Less

August Events! Double check with your states Chapter about events in your area. Visit the following link for more information on the events: https://tacf.org/events/category/tacf/ #americanchestnut #Connecticut #NorthCarolina #SouthCarolina #getinvolvedImage attachmentImage attachment

In a recent article for The Conversation, Dr. Steve Strauss discusses how advances in genomics and biotechnology are creating new opportunities to support chestnut restoration.

We're pleased to see perspectives from a longtime TACF collaborator. Steve served on our Science Advisory Review Committee in 2018 and currently has a pending proposal with TACF to improve genetic transformation methods for chestnut.

Give the article a read and let us know what part of chestnut restoration you're most excited about: theconversation.com/new-genetic-approaches-raise-hopes-for-restoring-the-american-chestnut-to-its...
... See MoreSee Less

In a recent article for The Conversation, Dr. Steve Strauss discusses how advances in genomics and biotechnology are creating new opportunities to support chestnut restoration.Were pleased to see perspectives from a longtime TACF collaborator. Steve served on our Science Advisory Review Committee in 2018 and currently has a pending proposal with TACF to improve genetic transformation methods for chestnut.Give the article a read and let us know what part of chestnut restoration youre most excited about: https://theconversation.com/new-genetic-approaches-raise-hopes-for-restoring-the-american-chestnut-to-its-former-glory-282125

30 CommentsComment on Facebook

Somewhere, waiting discovery deep inside the remote part of a forest towers a thriving blight resistant nut filled American Chestnut (surrounded by dead ones just so we know it was exposed and surviving). We can hope. Taking inspiration from the Dogwood saga.

Professors at S.U.N.Y E.S.F put a wheat gene in to Chestnuts years ago and have growing them

I thought the blight only killed the tree above the ground and not the root system that's why the chestnut resprouts and grows until it gets a scar on it and the blight kills the sprouted tree back down to the ground leaving more viable root system to sprout again in the future.

View more comments

Unlike most forest trees that rely mostly on wind, American chestnuts recruit insects too.

#americanchestnut #environmentaleducation #pollinator #nativetrees #dronefootage
... See MoreSee Less

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Okay, who was in our Monocacy Orchard. MDTACF.

Load more

Latest News

Beltsville orchard appeal

Beltsville orchard appeal

The Maryland Chapter is trying to save our Beltsville orchard. The USDA has announced its desire to shut down or repurpose the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), putting TACF’s important chestnut orchard at risk.  One of the major challenges to American...

read more