The Carolinas Chapter

Our Mission

The mission of this chapter shall be to assist in the work of The American Chestnut Foundation in bringing about a revival and a renewal of the American chestnut tree as a prominent part of the forests of the United States of America by strengthening the organization’s financial and membership base, education, public awareness, and research activities.

Once there were over four billion American chestnut trees in the United States. One out of every four trees in the Appalachian forests was a chestnut! From Maine to Mississippi, American chestnut trees thrived and matured as the dominant species, towering over their neighbors the oaks, hickories, and tulip poplars. And they were huge. One tree near Waynesville, NC, was over 17 feet in diameter — 53 feet in circumference!

Foresters called the American Chestnut “the most useful tree in the woods”,because it provided abundant food for wild animals and livestock, a cash crop for mountain farmers, a light, yellow-colored wood for furniture, and rot-resistant lumber for fences, utility poles, and siding.

In 1904 the chestnut blight disease, caused by an Asian fungus Cryphonectria parasitica, was discovered in the Bronx Zoo of New York City. The blight spread quickly by air and on the bodies of insects, birds, and animals.

By the 1930´s, almost all the mature chestnut trees in the Carolinas were dying back to their roots. Thanks to soil organisms, however, many of the roots remain alive, sending up small sprouts that constantly die back from the blight even today.

Now, with an approach called backcross breeding, the American Chestnut Foundation and its Carolinas Chapter are working to revive this great King of the Forest. Within a decade, we expect to have blight-resistant trees ready for testing in North and South Carolina. It is our hope and expectation that the American chestnut will resume its place as a significant species in our forests. The members of the Carolinas Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation are heavily involved in reaching this goal: finding surviving trees, pollinating them, harvesting seed, and planting orchards for eventual reforestation. We sincerely appreciate the dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm of our members and ask you to join us in our efforts to save this great tree.

Carolinas Chapter Board of Directors

Doug Gillis, Charlotte, NC, President
Allan Snow, Waxhaw, NC, Secretary
Paul Sisco, Asheville, NC, Treasurer

Steve Barilovits, III, Charlotte, NC
John Bonitz, Pittsboro, NC
Joe James, Seneca, SC
Brian Joyce, Arden, NC
Bonnie Millar, Asheville, NC
Scott Pryor, Edneyville, NC
Russell Regnery, Highlands, NC
Judy Sutton, Waynesville, NC
Jon Taylor, Asheville, NC

The Carolinas Chapter Menu

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The American Chestnut Foundation

PlayCleanGo powered by The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) is a campaign to raise awareness for people to not spread invasive pests and pathogens between natural areas, which is something chestnuts could have benefitted from a long time ago.

Go to PlayCleanGo | Powered by NAISMA for some great tips!
... See MoreSee Less

PlayCleanGo powered by The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) is a campaign to raise awareness for people to not spread invasive pests and pathogens between natural areas, which is something chestnuts could have benefitted from a long time ago. 

Go to @play.clean.go for some great tips!

Have you ever wanted to be a chestnut breeder?

Please join us at the beautiful Chestnut Ridge Orchard (Tennessee) for a one-day pollination workshop on June 10th to learn the basics of chestnut breeding.

The training will begin at 10:00 AM Central.
📍The Chestnut Ridge Orchard is located at: 1439 Shelbyville Highway, Petersburg, TN

The workshop is a hands-on opportunity to learn and practice the techniques we use for controlled crosses in the TACF breeding program. We'll cover all the steps in the process from finding and identifying an American chestnut tree, how to recognize the male and female flowers, emasculation and bagging, pollen collection and handling, labelling and record-keeping, and the intimate details of hand pollination.

What to bring?
A pair of garden clippers or tiny scissors, a summer hat, and some bug spray. Sensible shoes are a must! Dress for the weather and don't forget to bring plenty of water and a snack. This is an all-ages, rain or shine event. Everyone is welcome. No experience necessary.

In order to best coordinate the group please let Hill Craddock know you are coming at:
📧Hill-Craddock@utc.edu
Tennessee Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation
... See MoreSee Less

Have you ever wanted to be a chestnut breeder?

Please join us at the beautiful Chestnut Ridge Orchard (Tennessee) for a one-day pollination workshop on June 10th to learn the basics of chestnut breeding.

The training will begin at 10:00 AM Central.
📍The Chestnut Ridge Orchard is located at: 1439 Shelbyville Highway, Petersburg, TN

The workshop is a hands-on opportunity to learn and practice the techniques we use for controlled crosses in the TACF breeding program. Well cover all the steps in the process from finding and identifying an American chestnut tree, how to recognize the male and female flowers, emasculation and bagging, pollen collection and handling, labelling and record-keeping, and the intimate details of hand pollination.

What to bring?
A pair of garden clippers or tiny scissors, a summer hat, and some bug spray. Sensible shoes are a must! Dress for the weather and dont forget to bring plenty of water and a snack. This is an all-ages, rain or shine event. Everyone is welcome. No experience necessary.

In order to best coordinate the group please let Hill Craddock know you are coming at:
📧Hill-Craddock@utc.edu
Tennessee Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation

Comment on Facebook

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PA/NJ chapter seeking volunteers:

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR NEXT WEEK
Field inoculations of hybrid chestnut trees (750 TREES TOTAL)
Where: South Orchard (Rocky Top Lane)
When: Friday, June 16th, 9:00 am- 4:30 pm
**This activity requires repeated standing, kneeling, and sitting.

For more information & to sign up contact Hoy:
sdh177@psu.edu | 719-480-9201
patacf.org/seeking-volunteers-for-inoculations-at-psu/SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR NEXT WEEK
Field inoculations of hybrid chestnut trees (750 TREES TOTAL)
Where: South Orchard (Rocky Top Lane)
When: Friday, June 16th, 9:00 am- 4:30 pm
**This activity requires repeated standing, kneeling, and sitting.

For more information & to sign up contact Hoy:
sdh177@psu.edu | 719-480-9201
patacf.org/seeking-volunteers-for-inoculations-at-psu/
... See MoreSee Less

PA/NJ chapter seeking volunteers:

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR NEXT WEEK
Field inoculations of hybrid chestnut trees  (750 TREES TOTAL)
Where: South Orchard (Rocky Top Lane)
When: Friday, June 16th, 9:00 am- 4:30 pm
**This activity requires repeated standing, kneeling, and sitting.

For more information & to sign up contact Hoy:
sdh177@psu.edu | 719-480-9201
https://patacf.org/seeking-volunteers-for-inoculations-at-psu/

Comment on Facebook

The only time I wished I lived in PA

Is there an address I can Google?

I'm originally from Greenville in Mercer County & will attend in spirit

I wish I was a little closer it Would be great to help out

J U N E 16th Chestnut Chat (live, virtual via Zoom): Pre-register for:
➡️Q&A about TACF documentary, CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut
🌟Learn about 40th Anniversary Surprise online screening for TACF email subscribers
➡️Meet Filmmaker, Rod Murphy
➡️Learn how to screen the film and what is included in the screening kit and more with coordinator Marketing Outpost

Pre-register here: psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_85iLnNwKQ0Gl6_irP7e94Q#/registration
... See MoreSee Less

J U N E 16th Chestnut Chat (live, virtual via Zoom): Pre-register for:
➡️Q&A about TACF documentary, CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut
🌟Learn about 40th Anniversary Surprise online screening for TACF email subscribers
➡️Meet Filmmaker, Rod Murphy
➡️Learn how to screen the film and what is included in the screening kit and more with coordinator Marketing Outpost

Pre-register here: https://psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_85iLnNwKQ0Gl6_irP7e94Q#/registrationImage attachmentImage attachment

Comment on Facebook

Indiana Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation, The American Chestnut Foundation - Kentucky Chapter, The American Chestnut Foundation's Meadowview Research Farms, The Georgia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation West Virginia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation Virginia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation, Vermont & New Hampshire Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation Upcoming Chestnut Chat is all about the TACF documentary. Learn about opportunity for e-mail subscribers to view the film in celebration of our 40th Anniversary, meet Rod Murphy, one of the filmmakers and learn about how to screen the film, scheduled screenings and more.

Jim Jordan link is here

Wow! Thank you Pennsylvania National Guard for your help in this tremendous effort! ... See MoreSee Less

Wow! Thank you Pennsylvania National Guard for your help in this tremendous effort!Image attachmentImage attachment
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