About Us
Our Mission
The Ohio Chapter was founded primarily to bring about the restoration of the American chestnut throughout the hardwood forests of Ohio, where it once flourished. We work with the National Foundation to advance research, education, and public awareness of this important tree species. The Ohio Chapter implements this mission by education and research. Education would include projects such as establish demonstration plantings to acquaint people with the American chestnut and the blight that has almost eliminated by the blight, providing material for education, provide grants to support demonstration plantings and presenting information at appropriate forums. Research would include mine restoration plantings with American chestnuts, reforestation projects including American chestnut, test plantings of hybrid American chestnuts, finding and document surviving American chestnuts in Ohio, and supporting chestnut research in Ohio with grants.
American Chestnut in Ohio
The range of the American Chestnut was mostly restricted to the glaciated and unglaciated Appalachian Plateau region In Ohio. This is roughly the eastern half of the state. The chestnut grew mostly as part of the oak hickory forests and constituted 10-20% of the forests in eastern Ohio. They reached3-4’ DBH. Since Ohio is in the western part of the range the of the tree the blight did not completely decimate the chestnut in Ohio until the early 1940’s. Some large snags persisted for awhile but now almost the only thing left are root sprouts in the understory of the forest and ODNR now lists the American Chestnut as extirpated in Ohio.
Ohio Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation
The Ohio Chapter of the American Chestnut foundation was established in 2005. The mission of the Ohio Chapter is to support the goals of the TACF through research and education to restore the American Chestnut to its former glory. Education includes demonstration projects to increase awareness, presentations, and publications on the American Chestnut. Research efforts include restoration projects, finding surviving trees in Ohio, and sponsoring research supporting the restoration of the American Chestnut in Ohio and throughout its range.
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Stephen Rist
Ohio DNR Division of Forestry
Email: ro.fcat@retpahcho
VICE PRESIDENT
Bruce Willis
TREASURER
Greg Chopko
SECRETARY
Ryan Homsher
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dale Angerman
John Caruso
Dr. Bob Clark
Dr. Carolyn Howes Keiffer
Kirsten Lehtoma
Brian McCarthy
Dr. Greg Miller
Tom Mills
Chestnut Links
Chestnut Specific Resources
Ohio Woodland Journal Summer 2021 Page 12
USDA PLANTS Profile for Castanea dentata
Breeding and Growing Chestnut
TACF’s 3BUR: Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biocontrol United for Restoration
More General Topics Related to Hardwoods
Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative
USDA Forest Service Publications (and Treesearch)
Silvics of North America
Documents
Annual Meeting Minutes
Ohio Board Mtg F-2016
Ohio Business Mtg F-2016
In The News
Restoring Giants (March 2017) Ohio Cooperative Living. Pages 32-33.
Membership
Membership Form (National and Ohio Chapter)
Ohio Chestnut Inventory
Ohio Small Grant Application
Ohio Chapter Menu
National Facebook
Thank you for doing this! We love opportunities to inspire the next generation 🌰
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Way to go Lake!
In 2020, signs of chestnut blight appeared on one of the largest known American chestnut stands in the country, leading to the difficult decision about how to preserve its legacy.
Read the story of this remarkable stand: ivtlogs.com/american-chestnut/
Then follow us for our next post, where we'll share how the remaining trees from this historic stand were harvested to become part of a display at the National Museum of Forest Service History. You'll also get a preview of an upcoming article from our award-winning Chestnut magazine that tells the rest of this bittersweet story.
#explore #news #americanchestnut #hope #newlife
53 CommentsComment on Facebook
Actually… some of the American chestnut in the Forest Service Museum came from northern Indiana
I find nut bearing American chestnut trees here in the NJ Ramapo’s but when the trees reach 6to8 inches in diameter the bark peals off and the tree dies. Once it’s dead all new shoots appear at the base of the stump, the longest Ive seen nuts was 2 years in a row on a particular tree before the tree died.
A tried method to save Chestnut trees... When the signs of blight first start to appear on a tree, you take some dirt from the base of the tree, and a rag or towel and make a poltice, a bandage using the dirt, a little bit of water and wrap it around the infected tree. The blight bacteria doesn't exist in the dirt and will treat the ailing tree.
Join us Friday and Saturday and enjoy speakers and events, including: social hours, Friday lunch and dinner, plus Saturday lunch! Add on a special orchard tour for just $20 more. Register now and get the early bird rate!
Can't join for the full event? Get the Half Day Pass and just come for Saturday. You still get the chance to add on a special orchard tour!
For more information visit: tacf.org/2026-american-chestnut-symposium/
#americanchestnut #event #forestry #explore #conservation
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
I may be there
November sixth and seventh……right in the rut!! 🤦♂️
Will they do well in zone 8, NE TX? Yesterday we hit a record high of 107’f and can plunge as low as -20’f. Average rainfall is 50+”/year.
When our founders and early volunteers started breeding blight-resistant American chestnuts decades ago, they knew restoration would take generations. Like the proverb says, true conservation is about planting for a future we may never see, but one that the younger generations will inherit. Today, we continue that legacy. Want to help us plant the forests of tomorrow?
Visit the following link to learn how to get involved: tacf.org/volunteer/
#explore #americanchestnut #forestrestoration #saveourforests #inspirationalquotes
15 CommentsComment on Facebook
I planted quite a few American Chestnut trees from chestnuts I got from our local chapter of the ACF headed up by Herb Darling. All but 2 of them died. Mostly from the blight, but some because I planted them in soil that wasn’t drained enough. The 2 that are still alive are on a hill next to Lake Ontario. They’re doing great- even seem to be crowding out the nearby maple trees.
A society grows even more greater when old men plant American Chestnut Trees specifically in whose shade they shall never sit.
Only a fool would sit under a Chestnut tree now until December
Have a great photo of an American chestnut tree, bloom, bur, leaf, restoration planting, volunteer event, or wildlife interaction? We'd love to see it! (Photo pictured taken by 2025 2rd place winner Eric Sizemore)
First Place receives:
- Their photo featured on the cover of a future issue of Chestnut magazine
- A one-year TACF Seed Level Membership (a $300 value!)
- TACF merchandise
Second and Third Place winners will receive:
- TACF swag
- Recognition alongside the first-place winner in the 2027 Spring/Summer issue of Chestnut.
Submit your entries by December 31, 2026.
Visit the following link for more information and complete submission details: tacf.org/2026-photo-contest/
#AmericanChestnut #PhotoContest #TACF #ChestnutMagazine #ConservationPhotography #ForestRestoration #NaturePhotography
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Josh Roudebush win it all bro I might know a few big boys for the shot
Latest News
Ohio Chapter Meeting September 11, 2021
September 11, 2021 Annual Meeting of the Ohio Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation The annual meeting was held virtually via ZOOM. President Carolyn Keiffer told the membership she is retiring from Miami University at the end of the year and the presidency of...
Ohio Chestnut Grant Applications
Ohio Chapter Grant Applications due October 30, 2021!! Grants are available for up to $1000 for any project or plan furthering the American Chestnut by planting, education, or another manner. These grants are available to any people or organizations who would be...
OH Chapter Grants Applications
Posted September 23, 2021 Ohio Chapter Grant Applications due October 30, 2021 Grants are available for up to $1000 for any project or plan furthering the American Chestnut by planting, education, or another manner. These grants are available to any people or...