Smithfield Plantation Planting April 22

The Virginia Chapter of TACF donated Restoration 1.0 seedling chestnuts to Historic Smithfield Plantation in Blacksburg, VA, which were planted on April 22. The ceremonial planting was in conjunction with the Daughters of the American Revolution, District VII, who are also supporters of the planting.

Smithfield is the home of Colonel William Preston, build on the eve of the American Revolution. The original plantation encompassed almost 2000 acres, including many chestnuts that were used in construction on the property and extensive fencing. Today the home is operated and managed by the Smithfield-Preston Foundation and is open for tours, special events and educational classes and lectures.

More information about Historic Smithfield Plantation is available at http://www.smithfieldplantation.org.

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The American Chestnut Foundation

11 hours 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

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The American Chestnut Foundation

6 days ago

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

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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

1 week 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

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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!

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

It must've been an amazing sight to see all the trees when they were in bloom. I understand that some chestnuts were giants and comparable to sequoia. (That might have been an exaggeration...)

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The American Chestnut Foundation

1 week ago

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

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

Hope you are successful!!!

I have a hybrid chestnut sapling that did good for a few years after planting. This year the leaves turned yellow, then brown, then completely fell off. Any ideas what could cause this? The tree appears to be alive still. Thanks.

The American Chestnut Foundation

2 weeks ago

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

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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)

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Smithfield Plantation Planting April 22

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