Vermont / New Hampshire News

Pollination Frenzy

The VT/NH Chapter of TACF recently completed an ambitious American chestnut pollination season. Eight wild trees were cross-pollinated in seven different towns.

Craig Tufts, pictured, pollinated a tree that he planted in his Concord, NH back yard seven years ago. Tim Elliot worked with landowner, Bruce Wilson, to pollinate a tree on Bruce’s Dover NH property. Our thanks to Bruce for leading us to this tree.

The blue ribbon goes to Chapter Location Committee member Chris Leask who pollinated six trees: two in Mason, and one each in Greenville, Temple, Wilton and Merrimack. All in NH.

Thanks to everyone who came forward in response to our call, letting us know the status of trees you own or know of, and the locations of new ones. We couldn’t pollinate every tree, but yours may be a target next year or the year after. The availability of members who know how to pollinate, accessibility without a lift, proximity and timing are all challenges every year, and we’ll endeavor to do better matching resources for this annual “dating game” each year.

Nuts from these trees will be harvested in late September, stored over winter and potted in February. Their saplings will be planted in Chapter Germplasm Orchards (GCO) early next summer. Trees growing in GCOs are pure American chestnuts. Those that survive chestnut blight long enough to flower will be pollinated with transgenic chestnut pollen following Federal approval for distribution of the blight-tolerant transgenic tree developed by the College of Environmental Science and Forestry at SUNY Syracuse.

TACF and its 17 Chapters are currently planting GCOs and developing strategies for introducing trees grown in them all across the historic American chestnut range. This biotechnology approach to restoration is the most promising option for widespread restoration. Nobody ever said it would be easy.

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🌰 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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4 CommentsComment on Facebook

That was our job after school pick up the chestnuts, we opened them up with our feet.

This isn’t a chestnut tree, right? It’s too old and healthy to be one.

Mary Ellen McCoy

Join us on tomorrow, October 10, 2025, from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (EPT), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat.

Our special guest, Dr. Trevor Walker, Assistant Professor of Forest Genetics and Co-Director of the Cooperative Tree Improvement Program at NC State University, will share insights from 70 years of breeding loblolly pine for disease resistance, growth, and stem form. He will also consider which practices are likely to succeed for American chestnut, which are not, and why.

Visit tacf.org/event/chestnut-chat-breeding-disease-resistance-in-loblolly-pine/ to learn more or register.
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Join us on tomorrow, October 10, 2025, from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (EPT), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat.Our special guest, Dr. Trevor Walker, Assistant Professor of Forest Genetics and Co-Director of the Cooperative Tree Improvement Program at NC State University, will share insights from 70 years of breeding loblolly pine for disease resistance, growth, and stem form. He will also consider which practices are likely to succeed for American chestnut, which are not, and why.Visit https://tacf.org/event/chestnut-chat-breeding-disease-resistance-in-loblolly-pine/ to learn more or register.

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Just saw this. How was the chat?

Do you love pulling on your work gloves and cracking open freshly fallen burs to reveal the chestnuts inside? If you do, but don’t have any of your own yet, become a member and get access to our wild-type seed sale in 2026. In just a few years, your hands could be full of spiky burs and American chestnuts of your own. support.tacf.org/membership/new-regular ... See MoreSee Less

37 CommentsComment on Facebook

I use my boots to open them!

Porcupine eggs!!😂🤣

I have a bag full.

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We’re proud to share this segment from the PBS show Human Footprint, featuring former TACF staff member Sara Fitzsimmons. The American chestnut sequence was selected to be adapted into a standalone YouTube video, which launched in late September and has already garnered more than half a million views. Sara’s dedication and expertise have shaped much of the progress in restoring the American chestnut. Give it a watch to learn more about this important work. ... See MoreSee Less

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3 CommentsComment on Facebook

Great presentation!

I’ll show this to Ben. His English Chestnut is bearing nuts; Ben has been eating them. His American chestnut is bearing seed pods but not mature yet. We will definitely watch this. Thank you.

🌰 Harvest season at TACF’s Meadowview Research Farms brings both beauty and breakthrough science. Many of the chestnut crosses we gather are generated through recurrent genomic selection—cutting-edge research driving restoration forward. Each bur holds not only the wonder of new life, but also the promise of a future where the majestic American chestnut returns to our forests. 🌳

#americanchestnut #castaneadentata #americanchestnutfoundation #ChestnutResearch #meadowviewresearchfarms
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Are there places we can purchases a Chestnut tree that is disease resistant? Thanks!

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