Damascus Orchard- Izaak Walton League
26430 Mullinix Mill Rd., Mt Airy, Montgomery Co.
Contact: David Jacobson – steward
Challenges: This orchard was rogued in 2017, but hand-pollination is required to produce nuts for our seed orchards because Chinese chestnut trees are growing nearby.
Plantings: Clapper crosses
Maryland Chapter Menu
National Facebook
Getting involved in your local state chapter is one of the best ways to support the American chestnut, and a great way to get access to seeds and seedlings! Visit tacf.org and select "Chapters" to learn more.
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Are these edible by humans?
I have some chestnuts plant
Are we able to genetically recreate the original?
🌰 Over the course of this year’s harvest season, more than 20 volunteers from Emory & Henry University, King University, Master Gardeners, and Master Naturalists joined us at TACF’s Meadowview Research Farms to help process burs and collect seeds for the next generation of American chestnuts. Together, they shucked over 17,000 burs, yielding over 30,000 seeds that will support research, our partners, outreach events, as well as our RGS program. 🌳
Their time, energy, and commitment make an incredible difference in the success of our restoration work. As the 2025 harvest season officially comes to a close, we’re deeply thankful for our volunteers and partners — this effort wouldn’t be possible without you! 🍂
#AmericanChestnut #MeadowviewResearchFarms #AmericanChestnutFoundation #ChestnutRestoration #ConservationScience #Harvest #VolunteerAppreciation
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What about the Beetles? The ones I picked here ended up being full of them.
I want plant some on my farm were should i get them?
Thank you!
🌰 It’s National Nut Day! 🌰
What better way to celebrate than by helping restore the most iconic nut tree of them all: the American chestnut.
When you donate $25 or more to our End of Year Campaign: One Tree, Many Hands between Oct 22–31, you’ll be entered for one of three chances to win a Seed Level membership with The American Chestnut Foundation! 🌱
Seed Level members receive a subscription to Chestnut magazine, early access to wild-type seedling sales, and four chestnut seeds with intermediate blight resistance, a gift that helps grow the future of this iconic tree.
Visit support.tacf.org/2025-end-of-year for your chance!
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Can anyone tell me which species of Chestnut this is? It is growing at the edge of the Heard Farm meadow in Wayland, MA. The tree is maybe 40 feet tall.
Looking for chinquipan trees or seed. Anyone help me?
Finding your first American chestnut in the wild is an unforgettable moment. 🌳
Hal Brindley, TACF’s website administrator, shares how you can find these trees using just a few free apps on your phone.
Watch Hal’s quick video, then head to our website for his full step-by-step guide to discovering wild chestnuts and helping restore this iconic species. tacf.org/find-wild-american-chestnuts/
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Does anyone know how TACF's ....LSA program is coming along? How it is being structured and are the growers of the "wild type" mother orchards involved with input in selecting best trees? Is there a TACF "Czar" overseeing the project? Have new orchards been established yet to plant the finest pure Americans together at this time? TACF has the unique ability to perfect this all natural selection program from all the the mother tree orchards that are not tainted with the hybrids or GMOs yet. Has as much energy gone into this program as the good old backcrossing program? If not , why not??? It is a terrific model for breeding the survival of the fittest Castanea dentata. Maybe then they could even get ACCF and other private growers to contribute and provide insights.
From what I’ve seen it’s a combination. Trees growing in more ideal soil tend to fight the blight better. I have also seen that trees getting less sun tend to do worse than those in full sun.
Somebody has to have an orchard of these grafted
🌰 For the 8th straight year, Dr. Han Chuan Ong and his King University class volunteered at TACF’s Meadowview Research Farms during harvest processing! After touring MRF to learn about TACF’s mission, the students rolled up their sleeves to shuck burs and support chestnut restoration. We’re grateful for this long-standing partnership that strengthens both education and conservation. 🌳
This year, we were also joined by Emory & Henry College students, including Bonner Scholars and other volunteers, who lent their time and energy to help with the harvest. We’re so thankful for their hard work and enthusiasm — and we look forward to welcoming even more students next year to continue growing this tradition of learning and conservation! 🍂
#AmericanChestnut #MeadowviewResearchFarms #americanchestnutfoundation#ChestnutResearch #ConservationScience #harvest
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We are a middle school in Ohio and our middle schoolers are doing the same thing this past week.
Is there a particular type or brand of leather glove that you find is best for preventing the burs from getting through to your fingers?