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How can I get a chestnut tree?
The TACF National Office, Asheville, NC, provides chestnuts to members only. Bare root ‘pure’ American seedlings are offered through the TACF journal “Chestnut” in early Spring. Potentially blight-resistant hybrid Chinese/American chestnuts are available to Seed Level Members. The blight-resistance of these trees cannot be guaranteed; they are for initial testing and research and are not available to the general public. Blight resistance seems to be directly correlated with the percent of Chinese chestnut in the hybrid genome. Note that these seeds or seedlings are not being sold but are a benefit of membership. By participating as a seed level member, you help TACF continue to do its important work and continually improve material for release.
“Pure” American chestnut seeds (nuts) are available in the Spring to VT/NH Chapter members on a limited basis. These trees are not blight-resistant, but they are fun to grow and will sometimes live many years. This ‘free nut’ offering with video growing instructions is available to VT/NH Chapter members each spring while supplies last. These are wild American chestnut seeds, and as is true with all American chestnuts, are susceptible to blight. An email notice about this offer is sent to members late winter.
Instructions for planting and growing chestnuts can be found on the TACF fact sheets web page.
Do you think you’ve found an American chestnut tree in Vermont or New Hampshire?
Please collect a leaf and twig sample, read these instructions, print a locator form and submit to:
Kendra Collins, TACF New England Regional Science Coordinator
USFS Northern Research Station, 705 Spear Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
Are you interested in hosting a chestnut orchard?
Please read the planting manual for more information about what is involved with growing chestnut trees. This manual was developed for Pennsylvania, but the considerations outlined are applicable to Vermont and New Hampshire as well.
Educational Planting Guidelines
An educational planting is an opportunity for host organizations to partner with TACF. TACF will provide an appropriate number of Possibly Blight Resistant Chestnuts (generally five or six) for the host to plant in highly visible locations. The host agrees to join TACF and install interpretive signs. The benefit to the host is a living educational addition to ongoing programs. This outreach activity is a membership-building and volunteer recruitment strategy for TACF.
Planting Guidelines include:
- Site requirements
- Planting Instructions
- Host Responsibilities
- TACF Responsibilities
Vermont / New Hampshire Chapter Menu
National Facebook
Curious about American chestnuts? Love to hike and be outside? Want to meet other conservation enthusiasts? Come join The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) and Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) for an educational hike at the South Yellow Mountain Preserve in Newland, NC on Friday, April 18 at 10am!
Even though American chestnuts are considered functionally extinct, we are still able to view sprouts and small trees in our Western North Carolina forests and those planted and maintained by dedicated volunteers. Join TACF’s Regional Science Coordinator to learn more about how the blight has affected American chestnuts in this area and scientific progress toward restoration efforts as we hike to see two large-scale American chestnut plantings along a trail on South Yellow Mountain.
The hike will be ~3 miles long and guided by TACF and SAHC staff. This hike is considered strenuous, with a 300+ foot elevation gain in .4 miles and requires an average level of fitness to accomplish. We expect to be wrapped up before lunch. Please use this information to determine if the hike is appropriate for you or any guests or minors you are considering bringing. If you have additional questions about the level of this activity, please do not hesitate to reach out and we will do our best to advise you.
Those who register will be sent instructions for parking location and other logistical details closer to the event date.
This event is capped at 20 participants, with a maximum of three participants per household/group to allow for greater accessibility. If you have already participated in this hike please consider others who may want to come out and experience it! Spots will go quickly, so RSVP by hitting the link below by Thursday morning, April 17
You must RSVP to participate!
Visit this link theamericanchestnutfoundation.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=90477
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Tennessee Friends! The TN Chapter of TACF is looking for help planting approximately 300 American chestnut hybrids and controls!
We’ll be planting these crucial trees in Flag Pond, TN, on Saturday, April 19th, starting at 10:00 AM until ~1:00PM.
If we are going to save the American chestnut, we'll need help planting
LOTS of them! We'll be planting one year old seedlings, using shovels, post-hole augers, and other hand tools. Come prepared to work in field conditions; wear appropriate clothing and solid closed-toe shoes (no crocs, sorry!), bring gloves, a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, water, and a snack.
RSVP Required - theamericanchestnutfoundation.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=90486
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I would like several more AMERICAN Chestnuts to add to the one I have.
What is the expected blight resistance and growth characteristics of these hybrids? How does this planting fit into the overall goals of TACF? I read in one of the newsletters that there were 13 or more genes involved in Chinese chestnut resistance and therefore it was not going to be possible to achieve a backcrossed hybrid that had both blight resistance and American growth characteristics. Maybe you now have a more optimistic outlook?
Cool!I was wondering,(suspecting)if someone was experimenting with hybrids in order to get a resistant tree.
The growing season is now well underway at TACF's Meadowview Research Farms! Sown in January and February of this year, thousands of young chestnut seedlings are thriving in our greenhouse, where they will remain for a few more weeks before transitioning outdoors. Starting this month and continuing through the summer, we will be sampling nearly three thousand of them at Meadowview alone, and many more across the range, for genomic evaluation and subsequent assignment to different experiments and plantings. Have you planted your chestnut seeds indoors or outdoors already this year?
#americanchestnut #castaneadentata #americanchestnutfoundation #meadowviewresearchfarms
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Looking for a way to introduce the American chestnut tree to kids in a way that they will love? This book is perfect! @ebylundy
#americanchestnut #chestnut #restoration #conservation #explorepage #childrensbooks #teaching #learning
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Thank you so much for embracing this fairytale which teaches young readers a little about the blight and what happened to the American chestnut trees in a light and easy way. My primary objective was to bring an awareness of what happened to the American chestnut trees and offer hope of restoration to young readers. I also wanted to remember my late father (Bill Bear) who tried to do his part with restoring chestnuts trees. I did a great deal of research, and I learned a lot during the process of writing this book, but I still have much more knowledge to gain. Our family supports the mission that, one day, the American chestnut trees can once again regain prominence. We are one family of many who support the efforts of TACF.
Join us on Friday, April 18, 2025, from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (EPT), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat.
Got questions about growing chestnuts or tips to share? Join us for the Chestnut Growers Town Hall! Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just starting, this event is your chance to connect, share insights, and learn from experts. Ask your questions on topics like site selection, soil nutrition, varmint control, and more. Our expert panel will answer questions and share their top growing tips. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the chestnut restoration community!
Visit tacf.org/event/chestnut-chat-chestnut-growers-town-hall/ for more info and to register.
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Eleanor Feaster Berg
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