Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC)
This new orchard was planted in the spring of 2016. This will be a backcross chestnut orchard. The first planting was completed on March 31, 2016. We planted 265 seeds on that day – two lines of Musick B3F1s, plus controls. Later that year 110 more Virginia Musicks were planted here. In April 2018 another 100 B3F1s were planted.
For a list of the plantings as of June 2016 click here.
Address:
Beltsville, MD 20705
Directions: Take the Beltway(I 495) to Rt. 1 north. Take Rt. 1 north for 1.6 miles to a right turn on Powder Mill Rd. Take Powder Mill 2.3 miles to a right turn on Biocontrol Rd. Take Biocontrol for almost 0.4 mile to entrance to field on the left. Orchard is about 200 yds into field.
Contact : Ron Kuipers
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Chestnuts look so beautiful during pollination season, their catkins (the yellow fuzzy blossoms) are often described as fireworks. 🌰 🎇
Which image is your favorite?
#americanchestnut #fieldwork #nature #pollination #explore
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Watch this quick video to learn how we conduct controlled pollinations for our breeding program.
Learn more about our breeding program and our use of the recurrent genomic selection model: tacf.org/tree-breeding/
#americanchestnut #pollination #conservation #restoration #explore
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❤️ The original farmstead my property used to be a part of, grew chestnut trees and Hickory trees. The last two American Chestnut trees died about 6 years ago, they were right on the shoreline of a lake and unfortunately all their nuts fell in the water. They died cause they were both girdled by a beaver that had taken up residence on the lake. I would've done something to protect the two trees but unfortunately were not part of my property and all I could do was watch in horror. I wouldn't dare mess with trees that don't belong to me. I would however love to add some if it's possible to purchase American Chestnut back to our property, our parcel had the Shagbark Hickory trees on it.
Did you know that Allegheny chinquapins can get chestnut blight?
#americanchestnut #DidYouKnow #explore #nature #conservation
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Would it get a lot bigger if it didn't get the blight? If so, how much?
A wild American chestnut is always a sight to see, especially one with a healed canker.
Have you found any wild American chestnuts?
#americanchestnut #nature #envrionment #blight #explore
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Quite a few around us in CT, but none that big. I assume what we are seeing are stump sprouts.
God, I hope it has developed genetic resistance and passes that on. I want to live in a world full of American Chestnuts and Elms again
At my art residency in WV there was an American chestnut tree in their yard! I cried! I collected some of the seed pods
Every season tells a story… 🌰
Maybe it’s a chipmunk on the run, a chestnut sprouting new life, or snow dusting winter leaves. However you see it, we want you to capture it. The 2026 American Chestnut Photo Contest is open!
📸 Submit up to 5 photos
🏆 Chance to win TACF gear + a feature in Chestnut magazine + Seed Level membership
🗓️ Entries due December 31, 2026
Your next hike could lead to the winning shot.
Submit photos to: gro.fcat@snoitacinummoc
Visit the following link for more information: tacf.org/2026-photo-contest/
#naturelovers #americanchestnut #photographycontest #exploremore #photography
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