Monitoring Demonstration Plantings in the Carolinas

Published February 28, 2022

The success of B3F3 demonstration plantings varies at a number of sites in the Carolinas. Some trees survive after many years; others have died due to drought and unfavorable soil conditions. Despite amended soil to encourage better drainage and root growth, heavy clay soils often affect the growth of seedlings planted.

Tim Horne volunteered last fall to help the chapter, inventorying and documenting the status of ten trees planted in and near Hillsborough, NC in 2017. The Hillsborough Tree Board worked with the chapter to plant two seedlings at Town Hall and four seedlings each at two historic sites, The Burwell School and Mount Ayr. Trees originally planted that did not survive will be replanted this spring.  The Carolinas Chapter plans to check back in with other cooperators who participated in demonstration plantings to collect data on trees that have survived, and arrange to replace dead trees with new seedlings.

An older TACF orchard sign in Hillsborough, NC provides restoration information.

Sara Fitzsimmons in 2005 with Jim Gage, Dr Phil Arnold, Dr Robert Gregg

2005
Sara Fern Fitzsimmons with Jim Gage, Dr Phil Arnold, & Dr Robert Gregg

2006, Sara Fitzsimmons pollinates at Stockers

2006
Sara pollinating at Stockers, PA

Sara rating cankers at Thorpewood

Sara rating cankers at Thorpewood, MD

Sara at the 25th Annual TACF meeting

2008
Sara at the 25th Annual TACF Meeting

Sara and the Graves tree

2009
Sara in the PSU Graves Orchard

Sara Fern Fitzsimmons in the Glenn Swank stump, 2009

2009
Sara in the Glenn Swank stump, PA

Sara at the International Chestnut Symposium, 2012

2012
Sara at the International Chestnut Symposium

Sara in Vermont

2014
Sara with Harmony Dalgleish and the Berlin American chestnut in Vermont

Kendra and Sara in the field

Sara and Kendra Collins working in the field

Sara presenting at the 2022 TACF Spring Meeting

2022
Sara presenting at TACF’s Spring Meeting

Sara (in the rocker) with TACF staff at the Fall Meeting

2023
Sara (in the rocker) with TACF staff at the Fall Meeting

Sara Fern Fitzsimmons

2024
Sara in the Penn State greenhouses