Carolinas News

The Chestnut Tree Orchard in The Park at Glassy

The Park at Glassy is a beautiful, expansive, woodland sanctuary below the upper post office and the Children’s Village near the top of Glassy Mountain. It comprises 17 acres of sunny open areas, walking paths, shaded woodland trails, a waterfall, and several 100-yr old trees. Well-behaved dogs can roam off-leash, and attractive native plants, such as trillium, bloodroot, and devil’s walking stick bloom at various times. The upper level of the park is home to the Larry Recknagel Chestnut Tree Orchard.

In 2003, Larry Recknagel was a new Glassy resident concerned about the near-extinction of the American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata) due to blight. Working with Dr. Paul Sisco from The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), he realized that the Park area would be appropriate for a selective breeding test orchard to renew the American chestnut tree. In 2008, after conquering multiple levels of bureaucracy, they got permission to move forward. A community of Glassy volunteers helped to prepare the land and plant 100 trees. Since the Chinese chestnut tree was resistant to the fungus, the experimental trees were pure Chinese, Chinese-American crosses and pure American chestnuts.

After several years, they inoculated the experimental trees with chestnut blight to evaluate their resistance. Those with little or no resistance were removed. Today, 7 trees of various sizes remain, and selective breeding studies continue with TACF and Clemson University. Unfortunately, Larry Recknagel passed away in 2010 and didn’t get to see the large, resistant, surviving chestnut trees spreading thousands of chestnuts over the orchard area.

The loss of the American chestnut tree earned recognition as one of the worst ecological disasters of the 20th century. The Asian fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica) that causes chestnut blight was first identified in 1904 on trees in the Bronx zoo. By the 1950s, about four to five billion chestnut trees (90-99% of the population) had died. The demise of the trees also led to decreased numbers of birds, mammals, and insects that depended on them for food and shelter.

Losing the trees was also a social disaster that changed the lives of many people. The lumber had been an excellent source of income. The tree became known as the “cradle to grave” tree because the wood could be used for cradles and caskets, other furniture, railroad ties, fences, shingles, and telephone poles. “Chestnutting”, or gathering the nuts, was a popular social activity and a source of food and income; railroad cars loaded with nuts would cross the country from rural areas to big cities.

Today, TACF and other groups still focus on restoring native chestnut trees in their original range from Maine to Mississippi. These efforts use a three-pronged approach known as 3BUR—Breeding, Biocontrol, and Biotechnology United for Restoration. The hybrid trees in the Park at Glassy are part of the breeding program. Newer research on genetically engineered resistance awaits government approval to introduce engineered trees into the wild.

When you visit the Park at Glassy, take some time to learn more from the TACF sign about the chestnut orchard and note the various chestnut trees.

The TACF sign explaining the Larry Recknagel Chestnut Tree orchard. SC

The TACF sign explaining the Larry Recknagel Chestnut Tree orchard.

In the fall, spiny chestnut burrs and nuts cover the ground; they are a favorite of the local squirrels, birds, deer, and bear. The effect of the blight is most obvious in winter; the stunted main trunks and multiple large side sprouts are typical on the larger trees.

The chestnut tree showing the effect of the blight on its growth. SC

The chestnut tree showing the effect of the blight on its growth.

Not knowing about the research effort, some people suggested cutting them down because of their appearance. In the spring, the white male and female flowers stand out.

Female flowers on American Chestnut Tree. SC.

Female flowers on American Chestnut Tree.

Paper bags over the reproductive organs control pollination as part of the selective breeding program. The seeds that were generated last year are being planted in the greenhouse of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and the US forest Services’ Resistance Screening Center in Asheville.

Bags covering reproductive organs to control pollination.

Bags covering reproductive organs to control pollination.

Thanks to the foresight of Larry Recknagel 20 years ago and a community of volunteers, the Park at Glassy has been part of an ongoing research effort to reestablish the American chestnut tree in its native range. We hope that the research contributes to the successful reintroduction of this beautiful tree.

Editor’s Note: The Cliffs at Glassy is a community west of Landrum, SC. This article, by Betty Kuhnert, was originally published in Stroll (The Cliffs Communities) Magazine, May 2023, page 58-59.   Dr. Paul Kuhnert, Dr. Paul Sisco, Dr. David Vaughn, and Mrs. Susan Recknagel contributed to the article. Dr. Paul Sisco started working with Larry Recknagel in 2003.  Larry and a group of Glassy volunteers prepared the ground and installed the orchard in 2008. The Stroll Magazine is a product of The N2 Company, 5051 New Center Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28403

 

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Chestnut blight changed everything. Watch how this deadly fungus transformed a once-mighty tree. ... See MoreSee Less

4 CommentsComment on Facebook

The last time I saw a chestnut tree was 50 years ago in Detroit. I was a kid and saw the trees lined up and down our street die one by one.

Has anyone ever tried spraying copper sulfate & lime mixture on a tree to kill the fungus

We’re thrilled to see Backpacker shining a light on the American chestnut and TACF’s work to restore this mighty tree. 🌰 Read the article here: www.backpacker.com/stories/american-chestnut-trees-comeback/ ... See MoreSee Less

We’re thrilled to see Backpacker shining a light on the American chestnut and TACF’s work to restore this mighty tree. 🌰 Read the article here: https://www.backpacker.com/stories/american-chestnut-trees-comeback/

17 CommentsComment on Facebook

We have one across the street from our new home in Leicester NC. We have been collecting!

What's the difference between the American Chestnut and the Chinese chestnut tree? I recently planted 7 of the Chinese variety.

Not barefoot though!!! 😆

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It can be tricky to tell the difference between various chestnut varieties. In this video, TACF staff membe Angus shows the differences between Chinese chestnut leaves and stems and American chestnut leaves and stems. ... See MoreSee Less

11 CommentsComment on Facebook

Nice details. I can easily confirm exactly what you’re sharing. We have both on our property. TY

Are there many American Chestnuts in the wild anymore

Thank you! Can you do a breakdown of the chestnuts themselves too??

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Getting involved in your local state chapter is one of the best ways to support the American chestnut, and a great way to get access to seeds and seedlings! Visit tacf.org and select "Chapters" to learn more. ... See MoreSee Less

8 CommentsComment on Facebook

Are we able to genetically recreate the original?

Are these edible by humans?

I have a log cabin in Maryland All American chestnut. It was built 1870I figure the logs are approximately 360 years old from birth.

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🌰 Over the course of this year’s harvest season, more than 20 volunteers from Emory & Henry University, King University, Master Gardeners, and Master Naturalists joined us at TACF’s Meadowview Research Farms to help process burs and collect seeds for the next generation of American chestnuts. Together, they shucked over 17,000 burs, yielding over 30,000 seeds that will support research, our partners, outreach events, as well as our RGS program. 🌳

Their time, energy, and commitment make an incredible difference in the success of our restoration work. As the 2025 harvest season officially comes to a close, we’re deeply thankful for our volunteers and partners — this effort wouldn’t be possible without you! 🍂

#AmericanChestnut #MeadowviewResearchFarms #AmericanChestnutFoundation #ChestnutRestoration #ConservationScience #Harvest #VolunteerAppreciation
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4 CommentsComment on Facebook

What about the Beetles? The ones I picked here ended up being full of them.

Thank you!

I want plant some on my farm were should i get them?

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