West Virginia Chapter

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!

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

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4 hours ago
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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