Maryland Chapter

About Us

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.

Maryland Chapter Activities

The backcross breeding program of the Maryland Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation (MDTACF) is carried out in twenty-two orchards throughout the state of Maryland. These orchards advance the efforts of The American Chestnut Foundation to restore the American chestnut tree to its former range throughout the Appalachian region, enhancing the genetic diversity of the backcross breeding efforts with mother trees adapted to the variety of growing conditions within the state of Maryland. Maryland orchards also create opportunities for learning activities and research related to American chestnut restoration. The Maryland Chapter initiates and supports hands-on learning activities in areas of inquiry relevant to American chestnut restoration.

MDTACF is tax exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the IRS code.

Useful Links

Join our volunteer Google group

Maryland Chapter Orchard Page

Renew Membership or Become A Member!

TACF Event Calendar

Chapter Information

Chapter Bylaws

Chapter Officers and Board of Directors

Technical Master Plan (2007)

Maryland Chapter Constitution

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 MDTACF@outlook.com or subscribe to our Orchard Volunteers Google Group.

Maryland Chapter Menu

National Facebook

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Visit the RAK brewing company on Tuesday, November 12th for this exciting chestnut-related event!

As part of the November Nature on Tap Speaker Series event, Bruce Levine, board member of the MD Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation, will be speaking about the American chestnut.

You'll learn about the rise & fall of the American chestnut, including the history of the American chestnut, why they have become functionally extinct, and the breeding efforts being done by TACF to rescue it.

Location: RAK Brewing Co, 400 Sagner Ave, 100, Frederick, MD 21701
Date and time: Tue, Nov 12, 2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Pre-register to get 15% off your tab!

lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/pj3mntu
... See MoreSee Less

Visit the RAK brewing company on Tuesday, November 12th for this exciting chestnut-related event! 

As part of the November Nature on Tap Speaker Series event, Bruce Levine, board member of the MD Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation, will be speaking about the American chestnut. 

Youll learn about the rise & fall of the American chestnut, including the history of the American chestnut, why they have become functionally extinct, and the breeding efforts being done by TACF to rescue it.

Location: RAK Brewing Co, 400 Sagner Ave, 100, Frederick, MD 21701
Date and time: Tue, Nov 12, 2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

 Pre-register to get 15% off your tab!

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/pj3mntu

In a recent Virginia Tech News story titled Examining Chestnut Blight in Local Forests, students from a forest health class explored hybrid resistance to chestnut blight at a restoration orchard near John’s Creek. Engaging with experts from The American Chestnut Foundation and the Virginia Department of Forestry, students gained hands-on experience in assessing tree health and understanding breeding programs—skills crucial for their future roles in forest and ecosystem management. View the news story here. news.vt.edu/videos/k/2024/10/1_0nsj1kv8.html ... See MoreSee Less

In a recent Virginia Tech News story titled Examining Chestnut Blight in Local Forests, students from a forest health class explored hybrid resistance to chestnut blight at a restoration orchard near John’s Creek. Engaging with experts from The American Chestnut Foundation and the Virginia Department of Forestry, students gained hands-on experience in assessing tree health and understanding breeding programs—skills crucial for their future roles in forest and ecosystem management. View the news story here. https://news.vt.edu/videos/k/2024/10/1_0nsj1kv8.html

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

Why do these seeds cost so much???

Has anyone located a natural strain that is resistant at all?

With your support, this year’s raffle of two handcrafted Kasumi® Damascus chef knives with American chestnut handles raffle raised more than $27,000!

Congratulations to the winners Jeffrey Monaco and Natalie Harper, and thanks to everyone who participated.

Many thanks also to Antique River Logs for generously supplying these unique and extremely rare raffle items.
... See MoreSee Less

With your support, this year’s raffle of two handcrafted Kasumi® Damascus chef knives with American chestnut handles raffle raised more than $27,000! 

Congratulations to the winners Jeffrey Monaco and Natalie Harper, and thanks to everyone who participated.

Many thanks also to Antique River Logs for generously supplying these unique and extremely rare raffle items.

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Many thanks to William Joiner at Antique River Logs for donating these beautiful knives. www.antiqueriverlogs.com

Meet Taz! Taz is a 3.5-year-old Blue Heeler who wreaks havoc every day. She belongs to TACF's Director of Business Operations, Mark. Mark retired from the U.S. Army after 21 years in 2014. After retiring, he followed his wife and children to Asheville, NC. ... See MoreSee Less

The article covers the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) and The American Chestnut Foundation’s (TACF) efforts to restore the American chestnut at Lesesne State Forest. It describes three chestnut orchards: the Connecticut Hybrid Seed Orchard, American Orchard, and Backcross Hybrid Orchard. Each orchard holds genetically distinct trees, contributing to blight resistance research and breeding. Future projects aim to preserve chestnut genetic diversity through further cross-breeding and conservation. For further details, see the original article here: www.associationpublications.com/flipbook/vfa/2024/Summer/8/#zoom=true ... See MoreSee Less

The article covers the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) and The American Chestnut Foundation’s (TACF) efforts to restore the American chestnut at Lesesne State Forest. It describes three chestnut orchards: the Connecticut Hybrid Seed Orchard, American Orchard, and Backcross Hybrid Orchard. Each orchard holds genetically distinct trees, contributing to blight resistance research and breeding. Future projects aim to preserve chestnut genetic diversity through further cross-breeding and conservation. For further details, see the original article here: https://www.associationpublications.com/flipbook/vfa/2024/Summer/8/#zoom=true

1 CommentComment on Facebook

The American Chestnut Foundation I’m looking at planting a few American chestnuts- resistant. Who has them for sale?

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Latest News

Maryland Chapter Fall Meeting 2024

Maryland Chapter Fall Meeting 2024

  The Fall meeting of the membership of the Maryland Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation will be held on Saturday, September 28th,  10:00am - 2:00pm.  We will meet at the Fox Haven Farm & Learning Center, 3630 Poffenberger Rd, Jefferson, MD, 21755. ...

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Maryland Chapter Spring Meeting 2024

Maryland Chapter Spring Meeting 2024

The Maryland Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is excited to invite you to our annual Spring Meeting. This is a fantastic opportunity to: Hear from leading experts · Dr. Douglas E. Norris (Johns Hopkins): gain insights into tick-borne disease · Bruce...

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