A demonstration site, spearheaded by WV-TACF member, Dr. Lewis Cook, was located at Oak Hill High School beside the Vocational Technical Center. That site had been a previous chestnut planting that had not done well due to wet and shallow soil conditions. The Board of Education allowed for a wider site development to move the plantings to a better area of that property. Twenty-eight chestnut seedlings were planted there, some with the help of the school’s forestry class. The intent of this site is to plant a variety of native West Virginia trees that include other species besides chestnut so the students can observe and compare how they grow in the same environment. This will, hopefully, provide an educational opportunity for the students and the public. The non-chestnut trees will be planted as they become available. The chestnuts were planted in early November. Pictured above is Dr. Lewis Cook (left) and the Oak Hill High School students and advisor.
Oak Hill High School Planting
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Today was the last day of controlled pollinations in the southern region. Many thanks to the NC/SC Chapter members who came out to help!
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Thank you for your hard work!
I'm in south Arkansas. We had miniature Chestnut call chink a pin which got wiped out in the 50s. I have found two this spring 2025. They are small.
Hello, is this a chestnut tree?
This summer, we’re aiming to produce 1,000 hand-pollinated nuts for our genomic-assisted breeding program, and each one is a vital step toward restoring the American chestnut.
Producing a single nut takes time, tools, and teamwork. From pollination to harvest, every step is a vital part of the process to ensure that each nut has the best chance possible to grow into a more blight-resistant tree.
Here’s what goes into a single $25 nut:
Pollination Bag: $5
Hand Pollination Process: $5
Harvesting the Nut: $5
Shucking & Storing: $5
Equipment & Fuel: $5
Total per Nut: $25
By supporting just one nut, you’re helping us bring the American chestnut back to our forests. Support a handful, and you’re helping to rebuild an entire ecosystem.
This nutty campaign only runs from June 3 to 23, and we’ve got 1,000 nuts to grow. Join us!
support.tacf.org/nuts
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Howdy. He have four American Chestnuts together, growing opposite of several Chinese. They are about 20 years old. An interesting study.
Can you advise on the percentage of success of these nuts to generating a nut producing tree? I’m working on restoring 80 acres and would like to attempt to have some American dominant gene trees on the property that produce nuts but don’t want to take the risk of $100 for four nuts to only find out the percentage of success is still relatively small. Sorry for the likely noob question
Would the Chestnut tree grow well in the upper Midwest?
There are two work opportunities on June 7, 2025 for members of the WV Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation.
The first is at the U.S. Forest Service property at 459 Nursery Bottom Road, Parsons. Work will begin at 10:00AM at the 'American Chestnut' sign. We will lay out spots for a 100-tree orchard that will be planted next spring. We also will weed the existing orchard and conduct other miscellaneous tasks. Bring gloves, water and lunch. A bathroom is available.
The second opportunity is at Jennings Randolph Lake north of Elk Garden in Mineral County. Forty American chestnut trees will be planted at the Roger Craig campground. Work will begin at 9:00 am. Bring gloves, water and a snack. This work is conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
If you are available to assist at either of these two work sites, it will be much appreciated.
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What an incredible tree the American chestnut was! As The American Chestnut Foundations continues its decades-long work to restore this species, we welcome you to join the cause!
Become a member, volunteer with your local chapter, or simply spread the word about this incredible tree. Visit support.tacf.org/membership to get started.
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They can bring back a dead wolf from hundreds of years ago but they won’t bring back something useful like the American chestnut
I still have the audubon society, saying my chestnut tree, horse chestnut, has the largest girth in the state of michigan... The tree is gone, but the stump is still standing there.Proud.
And they are all gone because of humans