Vermont / New Hampshire News

Man on a Mission

About three years ago VT/NH Chapter Board member, Tom Estill, from Rutland VT had a vision to have American chestnut trees growing at all schools in VT. That was thought to be an ambitious undertaking that would take years to accomplish. Tom does not seem to agree with that assessment. He already has planted, or delivered saplings for planting, to 38 schools. The word about Tom’s ambitious endeavor has spread east across the CT River. Seven of those schools are in NH!

This remarkable outreach activity generates multiple benefits. Especially direct hands-on involvement with young people who will be needed to carry chestnut restoration into the future.

Here is what Tom has to say about his most recent accomplishment:

 

“Spent the last couple days visiting 11 schools along the upper Connecticut Valley dropping off 3 American Chestnut seedlings for school plantings. My original idea was to limit school visits and seedling donations to VT schools only. But as soon as word got out that I had delivered trees to Vermont schools, NH schools across the river started showing an interest to participate also. And the fact that we are a VT/NH chapter, I thought it was only fair that I made seedlings available to NH schools also. I am now out of seedlings. My focus will now be on getting into schools and giving a presentation of the History and Current Research of the American Chestnut. Every school was very thankful and enthusiastic. They all thought it was a great idea. They were all given a sheet of instructions and short description of the program. So, here are the schools I visited this week:”

 

* White River Junction, VT

* Richmond School, Hanover, NH

* Cross Academy, Lyme, NH

* Laura Smith Barnes School, Lyme, NH

* Riverdell School, Orford, NH

* Samuel Morey Elementary School, Fairlee, VT

Tom Buzzell, pictured below

* Piermont Village School, Piermont, NH

Kathy Mclure, picture below

* Haverhill Cooperative Middle School, North Haverhill, NH

* Blur Mountain Union School, Newbury, VT

* Woodville High School, Woodville, NH

* Woodville Elementary School, Woodville, NH

 

Thank you so much Tom, how can we clone you?

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Finding your first American chestnut in the wild is an unforgettable moment. 🌳
Hal Brindley, TACF’s website administrator, shares how you can find these trees using just a few free apps on your phone.

Watch Hal’s quick video, then head to our website for his full step-by-step guide to discovering wild chestnuts and helping restore this iconic species. tacf.org/find-wild-american-chestnuts/
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Does anyone know how TACF's ....LSA program is coming along? How it is being structured and are the growers of the "wild type" mother orchards involved with input in selecting best trees? Is there a TACF "Czar" overseeing the project? Have new orchards been established yet to plant the finest pure Americans together at this time? TACF has the unique ability to perfect this all natural selection program from all the the mother tree orchards that are not tainted with the hybrids or GMOs yet. Has as much energy gone into this program as the good old backcrossing program? If not , why not??? It is a terrific model for breeding the survival of the fittest Castanea dentata. Maybe then they could even get ACCF and other private growers to contribute and provide insights.

From what I’ve seen it’s a combination. Trees growing in more ideal soil tend to fight the blight better. I have also seen that trees getting less sun tend to do worse than those in full sun.

Great post! Herb Darling would be proud and happy if he was still around to see this.

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🌰 For the 8th straight year, Dr. Han Chuan Ong and his King University class volunteered at TACF’s Meadowview Research Farms during harvest processing! After touring MRF to learn about TACF’s mission, the students rolled up their sleeves to shuck burs and support chestnut restoration. We’re grateful for this long-standing partnership that strengthens both education and conservation. 🌳
This year, we were also joined by Emory & Henry College students, including Bonner Scholars and other volunteers, who lent their time and energy to help with the harvest. We’re so thankful for their hard work and enthusiasm — and we look forward to welcoming even more students next year to continue growing this tradition of learning and conservation! 🍂

#AmericanChestnut #MeadowviewResearchFarms #americanchestnutfoundation#ChestnutResearch #ConservationScience #harvest
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We are a middle school in Ohio and our middle schoolers are doing the same thing this past week.

www.facebook.com/share/1HjBGYMgnn/?mibextid=wwXIfr We are hosting our own seminar November 1st with our sponsor and speaking about the tree and its science and history w a OH-TACF admin and member.

🌰 What a fantastic American Chestnut Day at The North Carolina Arboretum!

From seedling sales and student research posters to inspiring talks, poetry, and a screening of Clear Day Thunder, the day was packed with learning, connection, and celebration of the American chestnut’s incredible story.

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who joined us, and to our event sponsor, Warren Wilson College, for helping make it all possible! 💚
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Enjoyed stopping by, hopefully next time the tree sale will be better equipped to accept different forms of payment 🙂

What are the chance that someone out there does have some true american chestnut seeds for sale or to give away . I only would like maybe a dozen and a half if anybody has then in north carolina. Thanks and god bless you

Maryland friends, come on out to the MD Chapter Chestnut Festival on Sunday, October 19! Visit tacf.org/event/maryland-chapter-chestnut-festival/ for more! ... See MoreSee Less

Maryland friends, come on out to the MD Chapter Chestnut Festival on Sunday, October 19! Visit https://tacf.org/event/maryland-chapter-chestnut-festival/ for more!

🌰 Harvest processing at TACF’s Meadowview Research Farms is equal parts important science and hands-on fun! Staff and volunteers shuck burs and sort chestnuts with care, ensuring quality seeds for future plantings and solid data for research. It’s a lively, rewarding way to support restoration while sharing in the joy of chestnut season together. 🌳

#AmericanChestnut #MeadowviewResearchFarms #americanchestnutfoundation#ChestnutResearch #ConservationScience #harvest
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That was our job after school pick up the chestnuts, we opened them up with our feet.

What do I do with mine? I have 2 gallons I collected this year for the first time.

Are these trees pure dentata?

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