Many Activities Planned in Central Virginia

Volunteer Speakers Sought

The Central Virginia Restoration Branch is asking for help in spreading information about our program. A group of speakers is being formed in the Central Virginia area to speak to civic, environmental groups, schools, etc. Volunteers for this activity will be provided with a PowerPoint presentation and a “Learning Box.” This is an opportunity for you to learn more about the American chestnut tree and spread this knowledge throughout Central Virginia. Volunteers for this activity will be given instruction and will have the ability to modify the presentation to suit themselves. If interested please contact Warren Laws at moc.loa@iiswalw or 434-953-5744.

Future Activities

In addition, a number of other activities are planned for the Central Virginia area:

Blight resistance evaluations at Fortune’s Cove (Nelson County)
Phenotype evaluations (Do they look like American?) at Fortune’s Cove
Cutting down trees which do not meet our standards for blight resistance and phenotype
Maintenance at Fried Orchard (Albemarle County)
Pollination at the Dibbern Tree (Albemarle County)

No dates have been set for the above activities, but stay tuned!

Virginia News Chapter Menu

Contact

Become A Member

Way To Give

National Facebook

The American Chestnut Foundation

1 week ago

Celebrate the legacy of Rex Mann—forester, storyteller, and passionate champion for the American chestnut—with this limited edition Leave Tracks t-shirt.

Rex devoted his life to restoring forests and inspiring others to care for the land. Now, you can honor his memory and help carry his mission forward.

🌳 100% of the proceeds from every shirt go to The American Chestnut Foundation (THANK YOU!), supporting the work Rex believed in so deeply.

👉 Pre-order now through August 2: scottmann.com/store/Leave-Tracks-In-Honor-of-Rex-Mann-PREORDER-p768130686

Let’s keep walking the trail Rex helped blaze. ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

View Comments

likes love 18
Shares: 0
Comments: 0

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

The American Chestnut Foundation

2 weeks ago

We’re excited to share a new animated video explaining TACF’s RGS program! ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

View Comments

likes love 56
Shares: 6
Comments: 1

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Transgenic American Chestnuts are still a much better option. The product of this method will always be a hybrid and that should not be the goal.

The American Chestnut Foundation

2 weeks ago

One of the greatest ecological disasters the US has ever seen. Chestnut blight wiped out the American chestnut tree in less than 50 years.⁠
A tree that once made up nearly 25% of the eastern forests was reduced to a functionally extinct species.⁠
⁠
The Asian fungus Cryphonectria parasitica was accidentally introduced into the United States in the late 1800s. While a few diseased chestnuts were noted in the 1880s and 90s, it wasn't until 1904 that the pathogen was identified in New York City. From that point, the blight spread rapidly. By 1950 the entire range had been consumed.⁠
⁠
The fungus causes cankers that spread around the trunk of the tree, girdling it and killing everything above ground. Many root systems still survive today and continue to send up shoots, but these also eventually succumb to blight. Because American chestnuts rarely survive long enough to reproduce, the species is considered functionally extinct.⁠
⁠
The American Chestnut Foundation is working to develop blight-resistant American chestnuts that can be used to restore this iconic tree to its native range. Learn more at tacf.org/about-us (link in bio) ... See MoreSee Less

Play

View on Facebook

View Comments

likes love haha wow sad angry 2383
Shares: 415
Comments: 140

140 CommentsComment on Facebook

I think I may have found an American Chestnut tucked away in a backyard

Incredibly important work…it was such a travesty for our forests!

The trees seem to still be intact outside their range in isolated areas. Theres a few large ones here in central Michigan on a peninsula and again on the Leelenau peninsula in the nw lower peninsula. I keep seeing people chime in about adult trees here and there. Seems like there's hope!

View more comments

The American Chestnut Foundation

3 weeks ago

Just another day working to bring back the American chestnut. 🌰 ... See MoreSee Less

Play

View on Facebook

View Comments

likes love 227
Shares: 5
Comments: 6

6 CommentsComment on Facebook

Yikes. Most of those pictures look like very Chinese hybrids.

I have a very old American chestnut tree that has the blight . It gets chocked off then gets new growth. It got a lot of wind this year and lost a lot of the blooms. It produces nuts still . Does anyone want to get a start of the new fruit before I move or pass way ? I’m afraid the new owners will destroy it. This was the only reason I wanted this house in the late 80’s .

Hope you are successful!!!

View more comments

The American Chestnut Foundation

3 weeks ago

Especially if you're under a canopy of American chestnuts... ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

View Comments

likes love 106
Shares: 21
Comments: 6

6 CommentsComment on Facebook

Unless, of course, it's fall. Then the chestnut seed pods are falling from the trees and creating a floor covered in pins and needles so sharp that it puts sweetgum to shame. You wouldn't want to be laying under the chestnut canopy then!

I live in Barboursville, WV and wanted to know if i can buy a seedling or how i go about acquiring one! Thank you!

The SHADE TREE COMMISSION in NEW PALTZ New York is interested in planting some CHESTNUT trees on Chestnut Street (Rt. 32). We would like to receive help from you if possible. New Paltz is a historic town and in the past there were MANY Chestnut trees here, Presently there is only ONE Chestnut tree which I grew from the nut of an elegant, large tree when it was sadly cut down. If there are any Chestnut trees available, or if you have any suggestion that might help us in this quest we would be greatful. Thank you for your attention., Shelly Ottens (moc.oohay@obobnyllehsih)

View more comments

Virginia News Chapter Menu

National Menu

Many Activities Planned in Central Virginia

Volunteer Speakers Sought

Future Activities

Virginia News Chapter Menu

(828) 281-0047

Email Us

National Office