Maryland Chapter

 Hampstead Bypass Orchard – State Highway Administration

This orchard was founded in 2010, originally as a demonstration orchard, but in 2011 was converted to a backcross breeeding orchard. A deer fence was constructed in 2011 by our chapter members. The first lines were planted in 2011 and 2012, and 2 additional lines were planted in the spring of 2014 and 2015.

Address:
Rt 30 bypass, Hampstead, Carroll Co.  – Google map  – see below

Directions:
Starting at Westminster, Md., go north on Rt 27 about 3 miles to a right turn on Rt 482. Take Rt 482 about 4.5 miles to the Rt. 30 Hampstead bypass circle. Take the bypass north about 0.8 mile. The orchard is on the left (across the highway) behind a fence.  Due to a deep swale at the entrance, you will need a vehicle with good ground clearance (P/U or SUV) to enter the orchard proper.  Also, use caution when crossing the highway.  If traffic is heavy it is wise to continue north to the circle (about a mile) and return on the south bound side.  Note: See the map below.

 

Plantings:

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2014 – Mt. Phillip line MD72A x MDMO :   125 seeds.

2015 – 112 seeds- Berryville line MD 73A x CY 430 (BC3). Controls were 10 seeds – Haines 45 x open, 10 seeds – Hood Chinese x open and 10 seeds – Scrivener x open.

Click here for a diagram of the orchard plantings.

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North Carolina Friends, Visit The Plant in Pittsboro, NC, for their 3rd annual Chestnut Carnival on November 16, 2025.

There will be chestnut cocktails, chestnut rum cream, shelled chestnuts, roasted chestnuts, chestnut beer, pop-up vendors, live music and more!
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North Carolina Friends, Visit The Plant in Pittsboro, NC, for their 3rd annual Chestnut Carnival on November 16, 2025. There will be chestnut cocktails, chestnut rum cream, shelled chestnuts, roasted chestnuts, chestnut beer, pop-up vendors, live music and more!

Join us on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (ET), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat webinar.

Our special guest, Dr. Jessica Rutkoski, is a small grains breeder with a talent for explaining the fundamentals of breeding and quantitative genetics. In her talk, she will describe how modern tools such as genomic selection and high-throughput phenotyping can speed up improvement for multiple traits—and how these technologies can be effectively applied to TACF’s American chestnut breeding program. Jessica is a quantitative geneticist and leads the winter wheat breeding program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

To register, visit: tacf.org/event/chestnut-chat-faster-genetic-gain/
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Join us on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (ET), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat webinar.Our special guest, Dr. Jessica Rutkoski, is a small grains breeder with a talent for explaining the fundamentals of breeding and quantitative genetics. In her talk, she will describe how modern tools such as genomic selection and high-throughput phenotyping can speed up improvement for multiple traits—and how these technologies can be effectively applied to TACF’s American chestnut breeding program. Jessica is a quantitative geneticist and leads the winter wheat breeding program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.To register, visit: https://tacf.org/event/chestnut-chat-faster-genetic-gain/

🍂 As autumn arrives, chestnut trees at TACF’s Meadowview Research Farms enter dormancy, leaves turning gold and brown before falling. This cozy pause is nature’s renewal, while staff use the time to plan, prepare, and continually refine methods across the field, nursery, and lab. Dormancy sets the stage for a strong spring and a year of progress in chestnut science. 🌳

#fall #chestnuts #americanchestnutfoundation #americanchestnut
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1 CommentComment on Facebook

I have two American chestnut trees in my yard in Delaware. The one is leaning bad and needs to be cut down. I would someone to contact me for you guys can get seeds and limbs

Chestnut shortbread, anyone? In the latest issue of Chestnut magazine, staff member Angus shares his recipe for shortbread topped with black walnut spread. Watch the full recipe video on YouTube and see it in print in our members-only magazine!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTW0m0R8UF4&feature=youtu.be
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These beautiful backcross seedlings from TACF's Meadowview Research Farms are hanging out in our Asheville office looking pretty in the sunlight. ... See MoreSee Less

These beautiful backcross seedlings from TACFs Meadowview Research Farms are hanging out in our Asheville office looking pretty in the sunlight.Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

3 CommentsComment on Facebook

Love the trees

Looking pretty…pretty Chinese. 😞

I sent a membership in and have heard nothing back, did you steal my money?

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