Rescuing the

American Chestnut

Our Vision

is a robust eastern forest restored to its splendor

Our Mission

is to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range

2023 Spring Appeal

Your support of TACF’s 2023 Spring Appeal will allow us to purchase a year-round greenhouse. Help us reach our goal.

Chestnut Chat Series

Join us on Friday, June 16, 2023 for the next Chestnut Chat! TACF is thrilled to announce that its long-anticipated documentary film CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut is a wrap. This 53-minute film highlights the story of the tree’s exceptional significance, the people determined to save it, and its promising future. We’ll be joined by TACF’s Director of Communications Jules Smith to discuss the making of and goals for the film and by filmmaker Rod Murphy of Collective Projects to answer questions related to creative development. We will also be joined by Mari Peterson of Marketing Outpost who, along with her team, has played an invaluable role in the success of this project and is coordinating screenings. For more information and to attend the event, click How to Participate below.

Science Strategies

Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biocontrol
United for Restoration

The American Chestnut Foundation takes a holistic approach toward chestnut restoration, utilizing a three-pronged research strategy known as 3BUR (Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biocontrol United for Restoration). These research tracks are meant to be integrated through collaborations that are mutually beneficial, so we can explore all avenues to reach the common goal of saving and restoring this species as quickly as possible.

Support Our Research

How to identify an American chestnut tree

Learn how to identify American chestnuts and send us a sample for identification.

Support The Restoration

How to receive American chestnut seeds & seedlings

Learn how to get American chestnut seeds and seedlings from TACF.

Latest News

2023 American Chestnut Photo Contest

2023 American Chestnut Photo Contest

PHOTO CREDIT: “Standing Out in a Crowd” by Matt Nichols, winner of the 2019 American Chestnut Photo Contest.It is time again to begin thinking about your best photos of American chestnut or American chestnut hybrids for entry into this year’s contest. We encourage you...

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1 month ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

Throw back from Earth Day.

Here is Jamie Van Clief (TACF Southern Regional Science Coordinator) and Doug Gillis (President of the TACF Carolinas Chapter) greeting folks at the TACF table at the Montreat Native Plant Sale in Montreat, NC.

Check out these photos of real antique chestnut wood pews at the Montreat Presbyterian Church near the event.
... See MoreSee Less

Throw back from Earth Day.

Here is Jamie Van Clief (TACF Southern Regional Science Coordinator) and Doug Gillis (President of the TACF Carolinas Chapter) greeting folks at the TACF table at the Montreat Native Plant Sale in Montreat, NC.

Check out these photos of real antique chestnut wood pews at the Montreat Presbyterian Church near the event.Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

Comment on Facebook

Reminds me of the old Tabernacle at Falls Creek Baptist Assembly…

man who recites Praise of earth HYMNS after worshiping earth, gets fortune of being Emperor for many births This Hymns is VERY sacred By reading this humans become entitled to virtues generated by donation of EARTH.by reciting THIS hymns 1 can get rid of sins committed by stealing earth donation-digging another's well without his permission-DIGGING earth in Ambuvachi yog-stealing other's land There is NO doubt about it-man becomes free from SIN committed by passing semen-keeping lamp on earth by reciting this hymn-Brahma Vaivart Puran Prakriti khand: Chapter 8 APRIL 22-International MOTHER earth Day-It was established in 2009 by General Assembly under Resolution A/RES/63/278 It was endorsed by over 50 member states It recognizes that EARTH its ecosystems r our home that it is necessary to promote harmony with nature Earth it reflects interdependence that exists among human beings other living species planet we ALL inhabit People should be encouraged to treat planet as sacred to TREAT trees rivers as SACRED to treat people as sacred to see God in nature in people This will foster sensitivity SENSITIVE person can’t BUT care for nature health of our planet is of UTMOST importance Earth SUSTAINS life LIFE should sustain Life can ONLY come out of LIFE only life can sustain LIFE our environment is our 1st body followed by physical BODY mind mental sheath We have to cater to ALL 3 levels Earth changes CONSTANTLY but wat human kind has done with ENVIRONMENT is unfortunate Earthquakes tsunami ALL these disasters r result of this If we DON’T care for environment take care of our planet it will create more more challenges for us ENVIRONMENT consciousness is inbuilt in human system HISTORICALLY nature prakriti has ALWAYS been adored in ANCIENT traditions of world mountains rivers sun moon trees have ALWAYS been honored It’s ONLY when we start moving away from nature that we start polluting NATURE we need to revive ANCIENT practice of honoring conserving nature POPULAR belief is that damage to ecology is INEVITABLE byproduct of TECHNOLOGICAL progress But it is NOT necessarily so in fact SUSTAINABLE growth is assured ONLY if ecology is protected Science technology should NOT be regarded as anti-environment rather we need to find ways of maintaining harmony in ENVIRONMENT while progressing in science technology This is BIGGEST challenge of this century SUSTAINABLE development is that which keeps in mind long-term effects benefits of ANY program Ravaging NATURAL resources without long-term vision will destroy ecology which is VERY source of life purpose of development should be to support sustain life With BIGGER picture in mind ALL development plans will factor in ecology sociology psychology Then VERY process of development becomes conscious endeavour to preserve planet its resources JUST observe Nature 5 elements of NATURE r opposed to each other Water DESTROYS fire FIRE destroys air Then there r SO many species in Nature-birds reptiles mammals ALL these DIFFERENT species r hostile towards each other yet Nature balances them out We need to learn how Nature digests WASTE material produces something MORE beautiful Destroying environment cutting down trees dumping TOXIC waste using non-recyclable materials is crime against ENVIRONMENT who can stop polluting earth? Someone who is aware someone who respects EARTH respecting earth needs BIG heart respecting INANIMATE objects needs GREATER heart ONLY when 1 can respect human beings can 1 RESPECT animals then material objects CERTAIN level of awareness certain level of awakening is essential for this to happen It is BASICALLY insensitivity that makes person act callously towards environment If person is sensitive he will nurture environment thereby eradicating pollution We need to attend to human psyche which causes pollution whether physical emotional If compassion care r kindled within self they reflect in environment sense of sacredness follows पृथ्वी की स्तुति - विष्णुरुवाच – यज्ञसूकरजाया त्वं जयं देहि जयावहे। जयेऽजये जयाधारे जयशीले जयप्रदे।। - सर्वाधारे सर्वबीजे सर्वशक्तिसमन्विते। सर्वकामप्रदे देवि सर्वेष्टं देहि मे भवे।। - सर्वशस्यालये सर्वशस्याढ्ये सर्वशस्यदे। सर्वशस्यहरे काले सर्वशस्यात्मिके भवे।। - मङ्गले मङ्गलाधारे मङ्गल्ये मङ्गलप्रदे। मङ्गलार्थे मङ्गलेशे मङ्गल देहि मे भवे।। - भूमे भूमिपसर्वस्वे भूमिपालपरायणे। भूमिपाहंकाररूपे भूमिं देहि च भूमिदे।। (ब्रह्म वैवर्त पुराण प्रकृतिखण्ड : अध्याय 8। 53-57) भगवान विष्णु बोले–विजय की प्राप्ति कराने वाली वसुधे-मुझे विजय दो-तुम भगवान यज्ञ वराह की पत्नी हो-जये-तुम्हारी कभी पराजय नहीं होती है- तुम विजय का आधार विजयशील विजयदायिनी हो-देवि-तुम्हीं सबकी आधारभूमि हो-सर्वबीजस्वरूपिणी सम्पूर्ण शक्तियों से सम्पन्न हो-समस्त कामनाओं को देने वाली देवि-तुम इस संसार में मुझे सम्पूर्ण अभीष्ट वस्तु प्रदान करो-तुम सब प्रकार के शस्यों का घर हो-सब तरह के शस्यों से सम्पन्न हो-सभी शस्यों को देने वाली हो-समय विशेष में समस्त शास्यों का अपहरण भी कर लेती हो-इस संसार में तुम सर्वशस्यस्वरूपिणी हो-मंगलमयी देवि-तुम मंगल का आधार हो-मंगल के योग्य हो-मंगलदायिनी हो-मंगलमय पदार्थ तुम्हारे स्वरूप हैं-मंगलेश्वरि-तुम जगत में मुझे मंगल प्रदान करो-भूमे-तुम भूमिपालों का सर्वस्व हो-भूमिपालपरायणा हो-भूपालों के अहंकार का मूर्त्तरूप हो-भूमिदायिनी देवि-मुझे भूमि दो-ब्रह्म वैवर्त पुराण-प्रकृतिखण्ड-अध्याय 8-53-57

1 month ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

Join us in supporting the addition of a new, year-round greenhouse for Meadowview Research Farms. In this video, Meadowview staff explains in-depth the ways this new greenhouse will result in bolder research and have a greater impact. Featured in the video: Dr. Vasiliy Lakoba, Director of Research; Ciera Wilbur, Nursery Manager and Cassie Stark, Laboratory Manager. Donate here: support.acf.org/donate/spring-appeal ... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

Can anyone recommend a good place to buy some chestnut trees ? Trying to help a friend get some and they don’t use the internet. Thanks

1 month ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

Happy Arbor Day!!

Today is a day dedicated to the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees. These photos are from a planting at the Pryor Orchard in Edneyville NC on Saturday, April 15th.

They planted 150 wild type seeds that have been sourced from wild-type American trees (Appalachian Trail, Bartram Trail, and other sites in WNC), and are a crucial step in species diversification. Carolinas Chapter is featured, including President Doug Gillis! Southern Regional Science Coordinator, Jamie Van Clief, led the planting.
... See MoreSee Less

Happy Arbor Day!!

Today is a day dedicated to the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees. These photos are from a planting at the Pryor Orchard in Edneyville NC on Saturday, April 15th.

They planted 150 wild type seeds that have been sourced from wild-type American trees (Appalachian Trail, Bartram Trail, and other sites in WNC), and are a crucial step in species diversification. Carolinas Chapter is featured, including President Doug Gillis! Southern Regional Science Coordinator, Jamie Van Clief, led the planting.Image attachmentImage attachment+7Image attachment

Check this out from the The Georgia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation!

The annual meeting of The Georgia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation (GA-TACF) will be held at UNG on Saturday May 13. Members and non-members alike are invited.
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1 month ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

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Upcoming Events

6:00PM - 9:00PM

Join TACF's Director of Science, Jared Westbrook, for an informal presentation at the next Big Asheville Science Salon! Once upon a time … the American chestnut dominated the forests of […]

7:00PM - 8:00PM

Did you know there is an American Chestnut tree breeding orchard in Westborough? Learn the fascinating story behind the work that is being done there. Presenter Brad Smith joined the […]

11:30AM - 1:00PM

TACF is thrilled to announce that its long-anticipated documentary film CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut is a wrap! This 53-minute film highlights the story of the tree’s exceptional […]