Maine News

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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As the weather warms up, now is the perfect time to get involved with some chestnuts.

Check out our March events and join in the fun!

Visit our events calendar for more information on each events: tacf.org/events/category/tacf/

#explorepage #events #volunteer #americanchestnut #nature #Connecticut #Massachusetts #RhodeIsland #virgina #Maine
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As the weather warms up, now is the perfect time to get involved with some chestnuts. Check out our March events and join in the fun! Visit our events calendar for more information on each events: https://tacf.org/events/category/tacf/#explorepage #events #volunteer #americanchestnut #nature #Connecticut #Massachusetts #rhodeisland #virgina #maineImage attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment

There’s nothing quite like the first signs of life in the nursery; our chestnut seedlings are officially emerging! After weeks of careful stratification, planting, and patience, we’re starting to see those first tender shoots break through the soil. Early seedling emergence is a critical stage, showing us that germination was successful and that strong root systems are beginning to establish beneath the surface. These seedlings will be used for our Recurrent Genomic Selection program, including future seed orchards, progeny tests, small stem assays, phytophthora root rot screening. Here’s to healthy growth, strong roots, and a thriving season ahead! #AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience ... See MoreSee Less

There’s nothing quite like the first signs of life in the nursery; our chestnut seedlings are officially emerging! After weeks of careful stratification, planting, and patience, we’re starting to see those first tender shoots break through the soil. Early seedling emergence is a critical stage, showing us that germination was successful and that strong root systems are beginning to establish beneath the surface. These seedlings will be used for our Recurrent Genomic Selection program, including future seed orchards, progeny tests, small stem assays, phytophthora root rot screening. Here’s to healthy growth, strong roots, and a thriving season ahead! #AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience ... See MoreSee Less

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Meadowview for the Win!🏆

Grafting is one of the tools we use to conserve large, surviving American chestnut germplasm and ensure it isn’t lost. By grafting scion from important trees onto compatible rootstock, we can preserve valuable genetics and share this germplasm across regions. This work allows exceptional trees to live on in multiple locations, supporting research, restoration, and collaboration while safeguarding the diversity of the American chestnut for the future.

#AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience
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Our Director of Science, Jared Westbrook, was interviewed by Ira Flatow, founder and host of Science Friday, for their podcast. The episode is now available: www.sciencefriday.com/segments/restoring-american-chestnut-tree/

On Science Friday, Jared discusses the multiple approaches taken to improve blight resistance in American chestnut trees, TACF’s recurrent genomic selection program as our main engine for restoration, and what successful restoration looks like.

#americanchestnut #sciencefriday #science #restoration #explorepage #conservation
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