Virginia News
Seed Planting at Catawba
On the bright and windy morning of Saturday, April 4, four volunteers planted 88 chestnut nuts at the Catawba Sustainability Center’s breeding orchard. The Catawba Sustainability Center, a property of Virginia Tech, is located in Catawba, Virginia. Catawba is a...
Planting at Ivy Creek
On March 28, five Restoration 1.0 chestnut seedlings were planted at the Ivy Creek Nature Area near Charlottesville. These seedlings are a 15:1 cross between native American chestnuts and Chinese chestnuts and have been bred to incorporate the blight resistant...
Volunteers Work in Roland Orchard
On March 26, six volunteers braved a rainy morning to work in the Roland Orchard in Fauquier County. Eighty-six traps were baited and set for Asian Ambrosia Beetles (AAB), which are a serious threat to the health of chestnut trees. In addition, the volunteers measured...
Planting Time is Coming!
The season for planting chestnut trees—whether from seeds or seedlings—is springtime. If you are planning to plant this spring, it’s time to be thinking about what you need to do to improve your chances of growing healthy American chestnut trees. First, consider your...
Meadowlark Gardens Planting May 3
The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and the Virginia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation will plant a demonstration orchard of Restoration Chestnuts at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna on Sunday, May 3 at 11:00 am. We are looking for a few...
Ceremonial Planting at Montpelier April 24
A ceremony was held on April 24, 2015, for the planting of a Restoration 1.0 American chestnut tree on the grounds of James Madison’s Montpelier near Orange, Virginia. For more information about Montpelier, the home of James and Dolley Madison, visit...
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National Facebook
At Heirloom Table Company, nothing is wasted and every table tells a story.
This clip showcases how salvaged American chestnut wood, reclaimed from old New England buildings, is transformed into handcrafted tables designed to become family heirlooms.
The full video takes a deeper look at the process and then introduces another local artisan who handcrafts Native‑style flutes. While the flute‑making isn’t connected to chestnut wood, it’s a beautiful continuation of the theme: preserving craftsmanship, skill, and tradition.
Watch the full video here: www.wcvb.com/article/crafting-heirlooms-and-melodies-in-new-england/70794861
#news #americanchestnut #wood #trees #explorepage
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We are beginning to see catkins on chestnut trees in our high-light growth chamber! By growing our chestnuts under 16 hours of high-intensity light, we’re seeing incredible results, including pollen production in less than 2 years. In the field, pollen and female flower production typically takes 5–7 years. This acceleration allows us to shorten breeding cycles and speed up tree generations, helping us select, improve, and scale better chestnut genetics much faster than traditional timelines.
#AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience
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Have you sent out the seeds for seed-level members? I was supposed to get six of them; and in the past, they have always come in March -- and today is the 27th.
Is it possible to buy pollen from American chestnuts?
It is good to hear of the accelerated time line. Are these trees all genotyped?
If you’ve ever wondered why we keep planting wild‑type American chestnuts, even though they eventually succumb to blight, this is why.
Any other questions we can answer? Drop them in the comments!
#reels #explorepage #americanchestnut #ecology #nature
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The American Chestnut Foundation was WRONG to make the incredibly short-sighted and completely unscientific decision to withdraw its support from SUNY ESF's Darling Project, the ONLY project breeding TRUE American Chestnuts. SUNY ESF's trees are transgenic, containing a gene from wheat (I believe) that enables the tree to resist the blight. Yes, they're transgenic, they have that one additional gene, but they're AMERICAN CHESTNUTS. The American Chestnut Foundation has, instead, resorted to breeding HYBRID trees that are NOT American Chestnuts, they are hybrid American / Chinese Chestnuts. The Chinese Chestnut is resistant to the blight because it evolved with the blight over generations, but by hybridizing a tree you lose the pure genetics. Think of breeding two different dog breeds together, the resulting puppy is the same as neither of the parents, but contains a combination of both. A labradoodle is neither a Labrador nor a poodle, it is a labradoodle. This is the WRONG path to bring back the American Chestnut because the hybrid trees AREN'T American Chestnuts. The foundation should change its name to either The American / Chinese Chestnut Foundation or the Hybrid Chestnut Foundation - seem silly? It is! Or, they could do the sensible thing and support the ONLY project bringing the American Chestnut back, SUNY ESF's Darling Project.
Is it true they're safe out here in the west? I'd plant some.
I understand why you keep planting wild type...you should... and use your RGS on pure Americans not the hybrids( Dr. Westbrook). What I don't understand is why you keep growing the hybrids and fighting off Molissima after all these years of consistent failure Mr Goergen?
Rogueing has officially begun! Late last year, Meadowview Research Farm staff selected the best trees in our 2018 progeny test to be genetically tested this year, and now our Director of Land Management, Dan McKinnon, is removing the trees that weren’t selected. The 2017 progeny test is also being cleared to make way for future plantings. Removing undesirable trees on a regular basis provides space for the trees of tomorrow.
#AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience
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if you dug them I am sure some of us could plant them.. i mean if there is a chance they make it
Can't you replant the "undesirable " trees else where as they're important to the earth breathing.
Thanks, Dan!
The PA/NJ Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation is having a Spring Growers meeting on March 28, 2026 from 9:30am - 3:30pm
Expert speakers: Michael Goergen, Allen Dietrich-Ward, Noah Vincent, and Lake Graboski
$30 ticket price includes breakfast and lunch!
All are welcome! Learn more at PANJTACF.org
It will be held at The Centennial Barn at Fort Hunter Mansion
5395 N. Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17110
#americanchestnut #meeting #getinvolved #nonprofit #explorepage
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Sorry I will miss this! I have to be at our SAWN-PA forest workshop.