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Chestnut Science Update

A Year of Change

By Mark McCollough, Maine Chapter President

“Learn to expect the unexpected.” As a wildlife biologist, I learned this tenet of ecology early in my career. Nature is full of surprises from the elegant workings of the DNA molecule to the intricate cogs and wheels of a forest ecosystem. Rapid advancements in genetic science gave us both disappointment and hope for restoring the American chestnut in 2023. This issue of Maine’s Tree Urchin newsletter explains some unexpected discoveries in the world of chestnut science, how it affects chestnut restoration in Maine, and provides a peek at the year ahead.

Maine volunteers with pollination bags on chestnut tree

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The American Chestnut Foundation updated their cover photo.
4 hours ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

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The American Chestnut Foundation
1 day ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

"American chestnut trees were wiped out more than a century ago. Now, new trees that are fungus-resistant are being planted at the zoo."

Read this article by the New York Times about a chestnut tree planting today at the Bronx Zoo, where chestnut blight was first discovered.

Click the following link to read the article: www.nytimes.com/2026/10/05/nyregion/chestnut-trees-bronx-zoo.html?unlocked_article_code=1.GVE.LAU...

#news #americanchestnut #explore #NY #forestry ... See MoreSee Less

American chestnut trees were wiped out more than a century ago. Now, new trees that are fungus-resistant are being planted at the zoo.Read this article by the New York Times about a chestnut tree planting today at the Bronx Zoo, where chestnut blight was first discovered. Click the following link to read the article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/05/nyregion/chestnut-trees-bronx-zoo.html?unlocked_article_code=1.GVE.LAUd.6FTRdUqLEmBm&smid=nytcore-ios-share#news #americanchestnut #explore #NY #forestry
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They are hybrid trees, not full American.

Utter waste of time. They’ll be dead from the blight in 50 years just like all true Anerican chestnut trees. These scientists are creating hybrids because they cannot stop the blight.

I have several in my yard, one bears.

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The American Chestnut Foundation
5 days ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

We're grateful to see the important work of American chestnut restoration highlighted by Wild Appalachia.

The segment features WV Chapter member Mark Double and TACF partner Dr. Amy Metheny of WVU, who share why restoring this iconic native tree matters and the progress being made in West Virginia and beyond.

Watch the whole video or read the article here: wchstv.com/community/wild-appalachia/wild-appalachia-american-chestnut-restoration ... See MoreSee Less

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my daughter in mt pleasant ny ( catskills) has a huge american chestnut tree in front of her 1904 home. somehow it missed the blight

I just sent this as email to Governor Morrisey in West Virginia. Please do the same and send to everyone and anyone who may be able to help in an effort to save Clements Nursery American Chestnut Grove. "Dear Governor Morrisey. I have learned that a private corporation plans to destroy the grove of American Chestnut trees at Clements Nursery. For the love of god and all that is good in this world please help to preserve these American Chestnut trees. There are not that many genuine American Chestnut trees that are still growing and what you have there in West Virginia is a national treasure that cannot be replaced with any amount of money, gold or riches. I among with many other multi generational Americans believe this grove of trees should be a treasured working national historic landmark producing seeds and seedling for reestablishing genuine pure American Chestnut trees in our Appalachian Mountains and throughout our country."

The American Chestnut Foundation
7 days ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

October is packed with opportunities to support American chestnut restoration! Join us in shucking chestnuts for open-fire roasting this winter and next spring’s plantings, or celebrate at an American Chestnut Festival near you. Don’t see an event hosted by your Chapter? Reach out to learn how you can help during the busy harvest season.

Need more information about an event? Visit: tacf.org/events/category/tacf/ ... See MoreSee Less

October is packed with opportunities to support American chestnut restoration! Join us in shucking chestnuts for open-fire roasting this winter and next spring’s plantings, or celebrate at an American Chestnut Festival near you. Don’t see an event hosted by your Chapter? Reach out to learn how you can help during the busy harvest season.Need more information about an event? Visit: https://tacf.org/events/category/tacf/Image attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment
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I just sent this as email to Governor Morrisey in West Virginia. Please do the same and send to everyone and anyone who may be able to help in an effort to save Clements Nursery American Chestnut Grove. "Dear Governor Morrisey. I have learned that a private corporation plans to destroy the grove of American Chestnut trees at Clements Nursery. For the love of god and all that is good in this world please help to preserve these American Chestnut trees. There are not that many genuine American Chestnut trees that are still growing and what you have there in West Virginia is a national treasure that cannot be replaced with any amount of money, gold or riches. I among with many other multi generational Americans believe this grove of trees should be a treasured working national historic landmark producing seeds and seedling for reestablishing genuine pure American Chestnut trees in our Appalachian Mountains and throughout our country."

And just FYI, Umit Sedar, OMU (university) in Turkey got a lot of seed from Lockwood for their breeding program. Yes, I will join the zoom meeting on the 9th. Sandy

Why aren't you folks screaming about the Clements Tree Farm destruction? 2/3 for a data center??? The destruction is supposed to be underway Nov 1st! What are the arborists doing to at least save whats on those 100 acres? Why isn't this in your newsletter and website?

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