Get Involved
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
Last week, all TACF staff rolled up their sleeves for a phenotyping faceoff at Meadowview! Team members were randomly assigned one of three different phenotyping protocols, all applied to the same set of trees, to help us evaluate which approach works best in the field. Phenotyping is a critical part of our breeding and restoration work, especially when it comes to evaluating blight severity. By carefully documenting traits like sporulation, canker severity, and overall tree health, we can better understand how each tree is responding to the disease. This information feeds directly into our Recurrent Genomic Selection (RGS) model, helping guide breeding decisions and accelerate progress toward a blight resistant American chestnut.
#americanchestnut #restorationinprogress #chestnutresearch #forestrestoration #meadowviewresearchfarms #castanetum #scienceinthefield
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Support us AND get some merch!? Sounds like a win-win to me. Some of our more popular items are limited in supply and size, so order soon!
Shop here: support.tacf.org/shop
#americanchestnut #restoration #conservation #shop #merch #nonprofit #support
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Some say the American chestnut is the only ‘Ten I see.' We say the Chapter Meeting is a close second—RSVP now via the listed website or QR code.
RSVP here: TINYURL.COM/YBVMP5TN
#americanchestnut #Tennessee #TN #cookeville #chestnuts #meeting #event #getinvolved #restoration #conservation #nature #forestry
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Selecting the best and roguing the rest 🌱🌳These trees were planted 8 years ago, and by carefully choosing which trees to keep and which to remove, we’re creating space for stronger growth and healthier stands. Selected trees will be genotyped for our Recurrent Genomic Selection (RGS) program and could play a key role in future breeding efforts.
#AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #Castanetum #ScienceInTheField
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Of the 25 first gen Chinese chestnut tress I planted, two survive to produce here in western Pennsylvania. That was ~35-years ago.
A seedling seed orchard: Over time, this combines selecting trees for blight resistance and thinning out (rouging) the susceptible genotypes. This works to produce an orchard seed source. Some reliable resistance, at a spacing favorable for seed production.
Pershendetje po qe se shikoni te arsyshme mund te bashkpunoim ne fushën e pyltaris. Kam gjitha mundesit dhe kam fjith dokometacionin e nevojshem
🌰 "The evolving story of New Jersey’s chestnuts" by Alison Mitchell
Check out this article that features insights from our North Central Regional Science Coordinator, Lake Graboski, and also highlights New Jersey Nut Farms’ separate hybridization efforts—showing the range of work underway to bring back the American chestnut.
Click the following link to view the full story: www.newsbreak.com/south-jersey-media-302714994/4444458578919-the-evolving-story-of-new-jersey-s-c...
#americanchestnuts #nature #chestnuts #restoration #conservation #quote #article #explorepage
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I have one of the original American chestnuts growing on my land.. it grows to about 12 feet tall and it dies. it comes back from the root and does the cycle again. it's done this for the last 63 years.
I've got a half dozen proven American chestnut trees in the country park across the street. 60 + feet and bear nuts every year by the ton. the nuts seem to be sterile. no saplings ever. .
How far our we from a chestnut that grows past 20 years
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