Virginia News
Asian Ambrosia Beetle Update
Asian Ambrosia Beetle Update by Jennifer Santoro, Graduate Student Intern Asian ambrosia beetles, an invasive wood-boring insect, have shown up in a handful of our Virginia orchards. The beetles bore into small-sized trees and introduce a fungus that ultimately kills...
Mullins/McFall Chestnut Planting
Forty volunteers and organizers braved snow, cold, and wind to plant a total of 625 chestnut seeds, including 525 Restoration Chestnut 1.0 seeds, on Saturday, March 2, 2013, on the Mullins/McFall reclaimed surface mine site in Dickenson County, near Clintwood,...
Planting Seedlings in Jefferson National Forest
From November 27-29, 2012, some 20 volunteers from the U.S. Forest Service, Virginia Forestry Department, Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists and The American Chestnut Foundation planted nearly 1200 chestnut seedlings at an...
WSLS10 Story on Chestnut Breeding
Roanoke station WSLS10 reported on the VA Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation’s breeding program in the Roanoke area.
November 10 Roanoke Meeting Report
Roanoke Meeting Provides Views of Past and Future of American Chestnut in Virginia From mouse-eaten remains of trading records found at one of the few remaining mountain trading posts in southwest Virginia, Dr. Ralph L. Lutts provided attendees at the Virginia Chapter...
Mother Tree Orchard Readied for Winter
Several Virginia Chapter volunteers joined Smithsonian volunteers and staff of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) near Front Royal on November 5th to prepare the mother tree orchard hosted by SCBI for winter. Thanks to the work of the orchard...
Virginia Chapter Menu
National Facebook
Chestnuts look so beautiful during pollination season, their catkins (the yellow fuzzy blossoms) are often described as fireworks. 🌰 🎇
Which image is your favorite?
#americanchestnut #fieldwork #nature #pollination #explore
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Wow. Way more explosive looking than the European chestnuts. Beekeepers should be all over that. It’s the most distinct honey I’ve ever had.  As for the aroma… Well… Enough said.
Catkins in my yard are buzzing with bees!
I have tended those trees. MD TACF, join us!
Watch this quick video to learn how we conduct controlled pollinations for our breeding program.
Learn more about our breeding program and our use of the recurrent genomic selection model: tacf.org/tree-breeding/
#americanchestnut #pollination #Conservation #Restoration #explore
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
❤️ The original farmstead my property used to be a part of, grew chestnut trees and Hickory trees. The last two American Chestnut trees died about 6 years ago, they were right on the shoreline of a lake and unfortunately all their nuts fell in the water. They died cause they were both girdled by a beaver that had taken up residence on the lake. I would've done something to protect the two trees but unfortunately were not part of my property and all I could do was watch in horror. I wouldn't dare mess with trees that don't belong to me. I would however love to add some if it's possible to purchase American Chestnut back to our property, our parcel had the Shagbark Hickory trees on it.
Big tree - Asian chestnut ?
Did you know that Allegheny chinquapins can get chestnut blight?
#americanchestnut #DidYouKnow #explore #nature #Conservation
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Would it get a lot bigger if it didn't get the blight? If so, how much?
A wild American chestnut is always a sight to see, especially one with a healed canker.
Have you found any wild American chestnuts?
#americanchestnut #nature #envrionment #blight #explore
22 CommentsComment on Facebook
Quite a few around us in CT, but none that big. I assume what we are seeing are stump sprouts.
God, I hope it has developed genetic resistance and passes that on. I want to live in a world full of American Chestnuts and Elms again
At my art residency in WV there was an American chestnut tree in their yard! I cried! I collected some of the seed pods
Every season tells a story… 🌰
Maybe it’s a chipmunk on the run, a chestnut sprouting new life, or snow dusting winter leaves. However you see it, we want you to capture it. The 2026 American Chestnut Photo Contest is open!
📸 Submit up to 5 photos
🏆 Chance to win TACF gear + a feature in Chestnut magazine + Seed Level membership
🗓️ Entries due December 31, 2026
Your next hike could lead to the winning shot.
Submit photos to: gro.fcat@snoitacinummoc
Visit the following link for more information: tacf.org/2026-photo-contest/
#naturelovers #americanchestnut #photographycontest #exploremore #photography
0 CommentsComment on Facebook