Maryland Chapter

WMREC Orchard – Western Maryland Research and Education Center, University of Maryland

This orchard was founded in 2007 as a backcross breeding orchard. The orchard was rogued in 2016 and 2017.  A total of 17 of the best trees in 5 family lines were saved.  They will cross-pollinate in 2018 to produce B3F2 and B4F2 nuts for our seed orchards.  A new orchard will be planted in 2024.

Address:
18330 Keedysville Rd. Keedysville, Washington Co.

Directions:
From Frederick take US 70 west to exit 49 to Alt Rt. 40 West thru Middletown to Boonsboro.  In the center of Boonsboro turn left at the stoplight onto Rt 34 west.  Travel for 3.5 miles, turn right on Keedysville Road.  Travel on Keedysville Rd for 2.4 miles (bear right after second stone bridge).  Turn right into WMREC at the entrance sign.  Turn right at the first interior road Turn right into the field after passing the deer fence gate.  The chestnut orchard is about 200 yards from the road and behind an apple orchard.

Contacts:
John Fleagle – Steward
Doug Price – WMREC staff

Remaining Trees:

Manahan 42A & 43A x AG247 –  2 of original 98
SE 831 x HE 416  – 3 of original 95
SE 51A x ME 536  – 0 of original 118
WMREC 47A x WV1  – 3 of original 71
WMREC 46 A x CH262 –  9 of original 92

Source of resistance:
Clapper

Location:

Maryland Chapter Menu

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We are not apart from the Earth—we are a part of it. Not something to own or use, but something we belong to. A living part of us, meant to be loved and cared for as deeply as anything else we hold dear.

#restoration #conservation #americanchestnut #chestnut #trees #trending
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We are not apart from the Earth—we are a part of it. Not something to own or use, but something we belong to. A living part of us, meant to be loved and cared for as deeply as anything else we hold dear.#restoration #conservation #americanchestnut #chestnut #trees #trending

TACF is hiring!
We’re looking for a 2026 New England Restoration Intern to support hands‑on chestnut breeding and forest restoration work across our New England chapters. This paid summer internship offers real‑world experience in plant breeding, field research, orchard management, and conservation science. 🌱
Know someone who’d be a great fit? Tag them!

Visit tacf.org/employment/ to find out more information and apply!

#americanchestnut #internship #hiring #explorepage #conservation #forestrestoration
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TACF is hiring!We’re looking for a 2026 New England Restoration Intern to support hands‑on chestnut breeding and forest restoration work across our New England chapters. This paid summer internship offers real‑world experience in plant breeding, field research, orchard management, and conservation science. 🌱Know someone who’d be a great fit? Tag them!Visit https://tacf.org/employment/ to find out more information and apply! #americanchestnut #internship #hiring #explorepage #conservation  #forestrestoration

Building the future of our trellis orchard one graft at a time! After beginning to train Chinese chestnut trees onto wire last summer, Meadowview Research Farm staff are continuing that work this season by grafting and training American scion onto the same system. By training chestnut trees on wire, our hope is that the canopy is more accessible, making it easier and safer to access all male and female flowers from the ground. Grafting diverse American chestnut scion onto the wire will provide future access to trees from other regions. This careful process of connection and guidance blends strength, structure, and adaptability. #americanchestnut #RestorationInProgress #chestnutresearch #forestrestoration #meadowviewresearchfarms #ConservationScience ... See MoreSee Less

Building the future of our trellis orchard one graft at a time! After beginning to train Chinese chestnut trees onto wire last summer, Meadowview Research Farm staff are continuing that work this season by grafting and training American scion onto the same system. By training chestnut trees on wire, our hope is that the canopy is more accessible, making it easier and safer to access all male and female flowers from the ground. Grafting diverse American chestnut scion onto the wire will provide future access to trees from other regions. This careful process of connection and guidance blends strength, structure, and adaptability. #AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

Great work!!

That's a great idea and i hope it works for ya'll, Good luck 👍

At Heirloom Table Company, nothing is wasted and every table tells a story.
This clip showcases how salvaged American chestnut wood, reclaimed from old New England buildings, is transformed into handcrafted tables designed to become family heirlooms.

The full video takes a deeper look at the process and then introduces another local artisan who handcrafts Native‑style flutes. While the flute‑making isn’t connected to chestnut wood, it’s a beautiful continuation of the theme: preserving craftsmanship, skill, and tradition.

Watch the full video here: www.wcvb.com/article/crafting-heirlooms-and-melodies-in-new-england/70794861

#news #americanchestnut #wood #trees #explorepage
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We are beginning to see catkins on chestnut trees in our high-light growth chamber! By growing our chestnuts under 16 hours of high-intensity light, we’re seeing incredible results, including pollen production in less than 2 years. In the field, pollen and female flower production typically takes 5–7 years. This acceleration allows us to shorten breeding cycles and speed up tree generations, helping us select, improve, and scale better chestnut genetics much faster than traditional timelines.

#AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience
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6 CommentsComment on Facebook

Have you sent out the seeds for seed-level members? I was supposed to get six of them; and in the past, they have always come in March -- and today is the 27th.

Is it possible to buy pollen from American chestnuts?

It is good to hear of the accelerated time line. Are these trees all genotyped?

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