Sugarloaf Mountain Orchard
East Field – Originally planted in 1970 with an estimated 1000 irradiated seeds. Most have succumbed to chestnut blight and phytophthora. However, some 27 remaining trees have been used as mother trees in our breeding program. Also, a backcross orchard of BC3 seeds (Manahan 41 x AG247) and an experimental orchard to study hypovirulence were planted in 2007 . However, most of these trees have been killed by the blight, phytophthora or deer.
To see an article on the chestnuts of Sugarloaf Mountain by Essie Burnworth, click here.
Address:
7901 Comus Road, Dickerson, Montgomery County
Contacts:
The Propers – Stewards
David Webster – Executive Secretary, Stronghold Inc.
Challenges: Deer, Phytophthora, gall wasps, vines.
East Field Location:
Maryland Chapter Menu
National Facebook
Reminder: This year's American Chestnut Photo Contest goes all the way through the end of the year, so when you're out hiking or harvesting chestnuts, take some photos and submit them to us!
To learn more about the rules and prizes, visit tacf.org/2025-photo-contest/
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Distinguishing features between American and European chestnut would be welcome. I'm sure some American chestnut must have been planted in England before the Boston Tea Party but the species leaves look very similar.
Restoring Trees, Inspiring Hope 🌱 TACF staff Lucinda Wigfield, Jim Tolton, and Brian Henrich joined monitoring efforts for Virginia round-leaf birch (Betula uber) progeny in the Washington & Jefferson National Forest. Led since the 1970s by Dr. Terry Sharik, this collaboration offers valuable lessons from a native tree restoration program well along in reintroduction and long-term monitoring. 🌳
#Restoration #americanchestnut #castaneadentata #americanchestnutfoundation #ChestnutResearch #meadowviewresearchfarms
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Growing the Future of Restoration 🌱 Nursery Manager Brian Henrich and Emory & Henry University Bonner Scholar Maddy Rossi-Dupas prepare Large Surviving American (LSA) progeny seedlings—harvested from Lesesne State Forest and grown at Meadowview Research Farms—for Chapter plantings. Meadowview’s efforts extend far beyond its own fields, strengthening TACF Chapters and fueling chestnut restoration across our range.
#americanchestnut #castaneadentata #americanchestnutfoundation #ChestnutResearch #meadowviewresearchfarms
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The TACF and local state chapters do an annual seed sale if you are a member. You can look at this page for more info tacf.org/american-chestnut-seeds-and-seedlings/
Bless you all for doing this critical work. Blight resistant American Chestnut trees in my lifetime would be a dream realized.
Love it!!!
Have you visited our events calendar lately? Fall is prime time for chestnuts, so get out into your community and go on a hike, visit an orchard, or purchase a seedling!
Visit tacf.org/events/category/tacf/ for more information about upcoming events in the American chestnut's native range.
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The amazing Bette Midler on why she started the New York Restoration Project--and at the 3:15 mark, watch her talk about and plant a chestnut!
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What a wonderful person ! Go Bette !!!!
Patti Clark
Michelle Waskie