Trumbull County, located in the northeast corner of Ohio, is located in the native range of the American chestnut tree. Earlier this spring, a great crew from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Ohio Agriculture, and several TACF Ohio Chapter members, collaborated to plant 100 potentially blight resistant (PBR) American chestnut seedlings at Mosquito Creek Lake reservoir. This project aims to continue TACF’s research efforts of introducing PBR chestnuts back into the county with a small-scale experimental planting. The trees, planted with 2′ tubes and 4′ wire cages were all in the ground within three hours, thanks to such a strong volunteer effort!
Looking forward, volunteers, as approved by ODNR and USACE, will periodically visit the planting site as a means of monitoring and maintaining seedling growth. Weed control efforts will be engaged to improve survivability. Project sponsors will provide detailed follow-up reporting to TACF’s Ohio Chapter on the success of this planting effort.
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- This seedling finds a new home at Mosquito Creek Lake.
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- A hard-working volunteer helps to get 100 seedlings planted in only three hours.
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- US Army Corp of Engineers park ranger Kat Pavolillo (left), and TACF volunteer Kelly Chopko.
(from L-R): Seedling finds a new home at Mosquito Creek Lake; A hard-working volunteer helps get 100 seedlings planted in only 3 hours; USACE Park Ranger Kat Pavolillo and TACF volunteer Kelly Chopko.