Maryland Chapter

WSSC 1 – Backcross Orchard

This was the first WSSC (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission) orchard, a backcross breeding orchard.

This orchard was culled or rogued in 2015. Beginning in 2016 the remaining trees have pollinated each other, producing a large crop of BC4F2 nuts for planting in our seed orchards.
Address:
2717 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.  Note: See the Google Map below.

Contacts:
Ron Kuipers – MDTACF
Eddie Franceschi: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Watershed Manager
Mark Grzeszkiewicz:  groundskeeper

Plantings:

Here is a list of the remaining 13 BC4 chestnut trees:
Sugarloaf East 833 – (6 trees) – numbers – 32, 43, 117, 121, 220, 270
Peters 32A – (2 trees) – numbers – 6, 297
WREC 48A – (5 trees) – numbers – 147, 150, 200, 204, 208

 

Location:

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We’re on the Naturally Scott Podcast!
Our President & CEO sat down with Scott to talk about the past, present, and future of the American chestnut — from its historic role in Appalachia to the cutting-edge science driving restoration today.

- Why the roots never died
- The cutting-edge science behind restoration
- Why volunteers and donors are leading this effort

Watch the full episode now and join us in bringing back America’s iconic tree:

www.youtube.com/@NaturallyScott

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naturallyscott/id1830513032
... See MoreSee Less

We’re on the Naturally Scott Podcast!
Our President & CEO sat down with Scott to talk about the past, present, and future of the American chestnut — from its historic role in Appalachia to the cutting-edge science driving restoration today.

- Why the roots never died
- The cutting-edge science behind restoration
- Why volunteers and donors are leading this effort

Watch the full episode now and join us in bringing back America’s iconic tree:

www.youtube.com/@NaturallyScott

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naturallyscott/id1830513032
... See MoreSee Less

🐛 Large silk moth caterpillar native to North America, not a threatened species fairly common *but beautiful.
🌳 Tree is a wild American chestnut planted for a PRR fungicide trial in Clemson, SC.

Photo credit: Celeste Giles, Research Associate with the Plant and Environment Sciences Department at Clemson
#americanchestnut #explore #nature #bugs #chestnuts #caterpillar
... See MoreSee Less

🐛 Large silk moth caterpillar native to North America, not a threatened species fairly common *but beautiful.🌳 Tree is a wild American chestnut planted for a PRR fungicide trial in Clemson, SC.Photo credit: Celeste Giles, Research Associate with the Plant and Environment Sciences Department at Clemson #americanchestnut #explore #nature #bugs #chestnuts #caterpillarImage attachmentImage attachment

4 CommentsComment on Facebook

Can you tell us more about the PRR fungicide trial?

So cool. Curious if the funguscide harms the catepillar and insects?

Speaking of threat, our local university has discovered the chestnut weevil is not extinct as was thought. www.actionnews5.com/2025/12/08/uofm-researchers-rediscover-weevil-believed-be-extinct-thanks-phot...

In celebration of GivingTuesday, TACF’s Board of Directors and President & CEO Michael Goergen came together to issue a matching gift challenge. The original goal was $5,000, but because of their collective passion and generosity a total of $18,125 has been raised, making the impact of your gift even greater. If that amount is reached, it will double to $36,250! Visit the link in our bio to donate. ... See MoreSee Less

In celebration of GivingTuesday, TACF’s Board of Directors and President & CEO Michael Goergen came together to issue a matching gift challenge. The original goal was $5,000, but because of their collective passion and generosity a total of $18,125 has been raised, making the impact of your gift even greater. If that amount is reached, it will double to $36,250! Visit the link in our bio to donate.

Join the VA chapter for a science presentation, orchard tour and seed give away! This meeting is open to the public and will take place on December 6th at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve from 1pm-4pm.
Stop by and get some free wild-type American chestnut seeds!
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Join the VA chapter for a science presentation, orchard tour and seed give away! This meeting is open to the public and will take place on December 6th at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve from 1pm-4pm.Stop by and get some free wild-type American chestnut seeds!

5 CommentsComment on Facebook

What kind of American chestnut seeds?

Very cool! Have fun everyone who can go!

their is one kind only

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