WSSC 3 – Seed Orchard
This is the first seed orchard planted in Maryland.
Our first planting was in 2012 – 67 BC3F2s from Thorpewood. We have made additional plantings each year and now have nearly 3000 trees planted. Many thanks to all our members and the volunteers from the University of Maryland, College Park; Montgomery College; and Prince Georges Community College. This orchard will produce the first Maryland B3F3 seed and trees.
Address:
Triadelphia Lake Rd., Sunshine, Montgomery Co.
Directions:
As a starting point, find your way to Sunshine, which is at the intersection of MD 650 (New Hampshire Ave,) and MD 97 (Georgia Ave). From Sunshine, go 1/2 mile north to a right turn on Triadelphia Lake Rd. Proceed about a quarter mile to a gate immediatly past a residential driveway. Proceed about one third mile on a rutted dirt drive to the orchard.
Contacts:
Ron Kuipers: MDTACF
Jim Benton: Washington Suburban Sanitary, Commission Watershed Manager
Mark Grzeszkiewicz: groundskeeper
Location:
Maryland Chapter Menu
National Facebook
Our Director of Science, Jared Westbrook, was interviewed by Ira Flatow, founder and host of Science Friday, for their podcast. The episode is now available: www.sciencefriday.com/segments/restoring-american-chestnut-tree/
On Science Friday, Jared discusses the multiple approaches taken to improve blight resistance in American chestnut trees, TACF’s recurrent genomic selection program as our main engine for restoration, and what successful restoration looks like.
#americanchestnut #sciencefriday #science #restoration #explorepage #conservation
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Black History Month provides an important opportunity to honor the past while also recognizing how Black knowledge, leadership, and community continue to shape the present. From histories rooted in land and survival to modern platforms and outdoor spaces where connection and representation matter.
Today we’re highlighting Hattie Carthan, who fought against the impacts of redlining and disinvestment by mobilizing her Bed‑Stuy community to restore its trees and protect a landmark magnolia. Her legacy shows that restoration starts with us, an idea at the heart of our work to revive the American chestnut.
Read more about Hattie Carthan: tacf.org/black-history-and-the-american-chestnut/
#blackhistorymonth #americanchestnut #treestagram #explorepage #nature
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So trees DO grow in Brooklyn again?!
Our air pruning bed was constructed in early 2025 and has since been growing hybrid chestnuts that play an important role in our grafting work. Air pruning beds allow us to grow strong, well-branched root systems and make it easy to access high-quality rootstock for grafting. MRF staff are currently grafting using the root stock from trees that were grown in this air pruning bed, so stay tuned to learn more about it next week!
#americanchestnut #restorationinprogress #chestnutresearch #forestrestoration #meadowviewresearchfarms #conservationscience
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Our research just dropped in Science, and the media wrapped it in love.
Here’s your Science Release Wrapped: the most notable mentions, the biggest themes, and the breakout moments that made RGS the star of the week.
Thanks for all the love.
Read the research published in Science:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adw3225
#americanchestnut #spotifywrapped #restoration #science #research #nature #environment #future #media #news #chestnuts #explorepage
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For everyone asking about available chestnut seeds and seedlingsWe're happy to be partnering with the Maine Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation to offer American Chestnut seedlings again this year!
Pre-Order Yours Today >>> viles-arboretum.square.site/american-chestnut-sale
Seedlings are available for pickup only (we do not ship):
Pickup Location: Viles Arboretum at 153 Hospital Street, Augusta, ME.
Pickup Date & Time: May 23, 2026 from 10am-4pm during our Lilac Festival
Pickup Deadline: Seedlings MUST be picked-up by May 30, 2026 at 4pm. Please contact gro.muterobraseliv@ofni to arrange for pickup after May 23rd. Seedlings not picked up by May 30th at 4:00pm will be forfeited.
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