Virginia News
Southwest Branch Active in 2017!
Planning is underway for a large planting (over 4000 trees) in the Channels State Forest near Meadowview. The planting will include both silvaculture test plots and reforestation. In addition, the Branch is working with two high schools to coordinate educational...
Middle Mountain Workday
On April 30, a large group of 22 volunteers, including 15 members of Boy Scout Troop 79, worked on the orchard at Middle Mountain Farm in Albemarle County. The orchard, which contains nearly 300 seedlings, was started from seeds planted earlier this year. The...
Inoculations Completed
On July 1, volunteers completed inoculations of American chestnut trees at three Virginia breeding orchards: Blandy Farm in Clarke County, about 350 trees; Roland Farm in Fauquier County, about 250 trees; and Fortune’s Cove in Nelson County (about 350 trees)....
Bull Run Mountain Site Surviving
Recently, Michael and Ann Ritter joined Bill McShea of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and staff of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) and hiked out in the humid, 90 degree July heat to see if the American chestnut seedlings that were still...
VA TACF Announces New PlantsMap Page!
The Virginia TACF proudly announces the inauguration of its PlantsMap page. The PlantsMap page shows the location of American chestnut trees planted throughout the state as a part of VA TACF’s ceremonial planting program. Here you will find the location of the...
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...
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National Facebook
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.
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We’re excited to share a new animated video explaining TACF’s RGS program!
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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.
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)
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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!
Just another day working to bring back the American chestnut. 🌰
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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!!!
Especially if you're under a canopy of American chestnuts...
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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)