Contact us at gro.fcat@retpahCVW
About Us
The West Virginia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation (WV-TACF) was established in 2009, the last of TACF’s 16 state chapters to be incorporated. Hybrid chestnut trees have been planted at 68 sites in 26 WV counties. We have initiated germplasm conservation orchards (pure American chestnut plantings) at seven sites in the state. Chapter members help support the mission of the national organization by planting hybrid chestnuts, conducting education, research, and outreach.
If you would like to participate in this group please join us. We include people from all areas that have an interest in restoring this magnificent tree to our forests. When you join The American Chestnut Foundation, a portion of your dues will be shared with the WV-TACF Chapter.
To learn more about who we are and what we do, read our monthly newsletter!
2025 West Virginia Grant Program
We invite members of the West Virginia chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation and other interested parties to apply for grants up to a maximum of $2,000 to support education, outreach and scholarly activities related to American chestnut in the State of West Virginia. Grants are available to assist individuals with active restoration projects in the State, outreach activities, as well as with their scholarly activities. For more information please download the application form. Submissions are due January 31, 2025.
American Chestnut: The Once and Future Tree
Click play below or watch on YouTube.
In the spring of 2023, a group of film students from the George A. Romero Filmmaking Program traveled throughout West Virginia and Maryland to record oral histories from a group of individuals with a passion for the American Chestnut, in an effort to preserve pieces of the tree’s past, present and future.
Chestnut Identification
Distinguishing American from Chinese and European Chestnut
Sometimes, individuals who come across a tall chestnut tree in a forest setting, assume it must be an American chestnut. This is not always the case. In forest settings, Chinese chestnut, like its American cousin, also can grown straight and tall. Leaf shape, leaf hairs and twig color are good characteristics to distinguish American from Chinese chestnut. American chestnut leaves are generally long and slender with a “V” at the leaf base. Chinese chestnuts have a wider leaf and they are often shiny. Chinese chestnut leaves have a “U” shape at the leaf base. Most striking are the hairs on the under-surface of Chinese chestnut leaves. American chestnut leaves have no hairs. Chinese twigs, generally brown in color, also have hairs. American twigs, generally exhibit a reddish color, and like the leaves, the twigs have no hairs. Buds are another characteristic–American buds are pointed compared to rounded Chinese buds.
In some areas of the eastern U.S., European chestnut trees can be found. In comparison, European twigs are much stouter than either American or Chinese chestnut. Buds on a European are often large and green in early spring, turning darker by mid-summer. Buds are green in the spring, turning dark in summer.
Click here for more chestnut leaf and tree identification information.
WV Chapter Board of Directors
President
Mark Double, Morgantown
Vice President
Jerry Legg, Elkview
Secretary
Jeff Kochenderfer, Petersburg
Treasurer
Sam Muncy, Philippi
Board Members
Dr. Lewis Cook, Fayetteville
Linda Coyle, Keyser
Dr. Joe Golden, Beckley
Jimmy Jenkins, Flatwoods
Carla Kesling, Bridgeport
Dr. Don Kines, Davis
Dr. Brian Perkins, Elkins
Charles Sypolt, Glenville
Dr. Melissa Thomas-Van Gundy, Elkins
West Virginia Chapter Menu
National Facebook
October is packed with opportunities to support American chestnut restoration! Join us in shucking chestnuts for open-fire roasting this winter and next spring’s plantings, or celebrate at an American Chestnut Festival near you. Don’t see an event hosted by your Chapter? Reach out to learn how you can help during the busy harvest season.
Need more information about an event? Visit: tacf.org/events/category/tacf/
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We love to see so many people come together for American chestnut restoration.Back in August, Meadowview Research Farm staff members Lucinda Wigfield and Brian Henrich attended the NE-2333 meeting: Biological Improvement of Chestnut through Technologies that Address Management of the Species and its Pathogens and Pests. The meeting provided an opportunity to connect with fellow researchers, learn from a variety of presentations, and share in the latest developments in chestnut research and restoration.
As part of the meeting, Lucinda and Brian also joined a field trip to Johns Creek, getting an up-close look at chestnut research and restoration efforts in the field.
We’re glad that Meadowview staff were able to learn with other scientists and to be part of the ongoing work to restore this important native tree!
#MeadowviewResearchFarm #AmericanChestnut #ChestnutResearch #ChestnutRestoration #NE2333 #ForestRestoration #NativeTrees
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We love harvest season!
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Is it possible to get these nuts to germinate and grow? How?
How are these different from Dunstan?
I would like to get some to plant in New Hampshire
Several chestnut enthusiasts recently had the opportunity to visit John's Creek's planting in Virginia. One of the most memorable sights was the claw marks left by black bears foraging for chestnuts as they prepare for winter, a testament to the planting's success and its growing role in supporting wildlife. The visit took place during this year's NE2333 annual meeting.
#AmericanChestnut #ChestnutRestoration #ForestHealth #WildlifeConservation #HealthyForests
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Have seen a number of true wild, pure American chestnut trees damaged by black bear. These trees are large enough to survive multiple years of “attacks” by black bear.
Hopefully the damaged bark does not serve as a corridor for the blight to enter living tissue.
Are these engineered trees or crossbred?
This excellent article takes a deep dive into the history of the American chestnut, the science driving restoration efforts, and the communities helping make recovery possible. Be sure to read the perspectives shared by TACF Director of Science Jared Westbrook, Board Member Jim Searing, and PA/NJ Chapter member Mike Aucott. 🌳🌰
Read the article: rivertownsmagazine.com/stories/the-return-of-the-american-chestnut-tree,146154
#americanchestnut #forestry #ForestRestoration #CitizenScience #conservation
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Thanks for sharing! This was a great article and we're glad to be part of the restoration efforts.
I have acreage, but no idea how to purchase these.
I will be pleased if a 100 ft, tall tree with a sweet chestnut can be developed from any of these approaches.
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