Savage River State Forest Orchard
On May 27, 2021, 17 wild American chestnuts were planted in the Peapatch Lane orchard in Garrett County. These seedlings join another group of about 20 trees planted two years earlier. These seedlings are part of the Maryland Chapter’s germ plasm preservation effort that is part of TACF’s effort to develop a blight resistant American chestnut hybrid. These seedlings will require about a decade to reach sufficient maturity to bloom and have nuts. By that time the parents of these trees will likely have succumbed to the blight. Wild American chestnuts are relatively common in western Maryland, but the vast majority of these trees are small understory trees with little chance to grow sufficiently to bloom and have nuts. And the majority of the trees that do have nuts are not in easily accessible locations. By creating germ plasm orchards with better access and growing conditions than in the wild, the Chapter hopes to have an important source of wild American mother trees for the next generation of hybridization.
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A month ago, our President and CEO, Michael Goergen, got to visit the New York Botanical Garden and see the original documentation of chestnut blight taken from a tree in the Bronx Zoo. Feeling a sense of inspiration from the experience, Michael wrote, "Holding that bark brings both grief and resolve. Grief for what was lost. Resolve for the work ahead.
Because for the first time since 1905, we are no longer documenting decline.
We are documenting return.
The American chestnut is not a memory. It is a restoration mission and The American Chestnut Foundation is building the tools and partnerships to finish what Merkel, Murrill, and others could not.
Seeing the original blight records didn’t make the work feel more challenging. It made it feel inevitable.
Restoration is the next chapter. We get to write it."
#explorepage #americanchestnut #history #chestnuts #learn #nature #forestry #trees #blight #restoration #conservation
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Our New England Regional Science Coordinator, Deni Ranguelova, made an appearance on the podcast "Across the Fence" to discuss the American chestnut tree and why we are working to restore them.
Check out the podcast on Youtube at youtu.be/c9EeOc5WIaE?si=80CQtoY4-qeQhjtI
#americanchestnut #chestnuts #podcast #history #restoration #conservation #nature #forestry #explorepage
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So like Covid?
I have 70+ new Dunstan hybrids going in this spring, sprouted in my fridge in peat moss right now. They're going out into a 1 acre area on my 18 acres of wooded land in the Poconos. I'm planning to add Italian and Chinese chestnuts next year and let the natural pollination process produce its own hybrids and resistance over time.
This was all because someone in upstate Delaware thought it would be a good idea to grow a Chinese chestnut in their yard so they could show it off to their friends.
New year, new opportunities! Now’s the perfect time to get involved with the American chestnut. 🌱
Check out our January & February events and join the movement!
Visit out events calendar for more info on each event
#americanchestnut #events #volunteer #pennsylvania #castaneapa #Maine #rhodeisland #pennstate #chestnuts #explorepage
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TACF is hiring both a Mid-Atlantic and Southern Regional Science Coordinator! Support volunteer-led science programs, work hands-on with chestnut restoration, and connect regional chapters with national research efforts. If you have experience with tree breeding and selection programs, leading volunteer events, orchard management, or are passionate about the return of American chestnut to its native range, we encourage you to apply.
The link to apply and more details can be found here: tacf.org/employment/
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Lesesne State Forest is 422 acres, and lies next to Three Ridges Wilderness Area in Nelson County, VA. TACF and VA Department of Forestry partner in managing and breeding chestnuts here for restoration. TACF hosted our partners and national board members on a tour of the orchard in mid-November.
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This beautiful state forest is a must-visit for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts!
Going here for the first time, seeing all the big American Chestnuts and also watching Bill Deeter 's videos and pictures of his trees convinced me that it is possible to breed resistance into American chestnuts! We got this folks
Wow that one looks great. Mine that’s maybe 20 years old has blight bad 🙁