Hope for the American Chestnut

benevolance · July 26, 2009, 04:29:43 AM

Well there have been untouched blight free stands of chestnut found in Maine and New Hampshire in the past few years... I have read articles on both... I have also read articles on a couple stands in Virginia. Not a genetic cross... actual american chestnut.

It is hopeful that there are some massive old growth chestnuts left...Like the one in the picture from Nova Scotia. As they continue to work on this problem....Maybe they will have it figured out before the last of these trees are gone.

the 1 in 64 bit was pretty interesting...if they can use natural selection to find a blight resistance for american chestnuts and keep selectively breeding seeds from trees that show blight resistance, well that would be fantastic also.

I have family not far from that Chestnut in Ashdale Nova Scotia...I would love to see it the next time I go up that way

old joe · July 26, 2009, 08:11:49 AM

I have clump of american chestnut root sprouting . It gives more than a feed sack of nuts in a good year. I have been planting 50 or so nuts each year , lots of seedlings but they die off at about 30 ft. The main clump is about 50 feet tall 6 or so trunks 6" to7"dbh the nuts are great if you get them before the worms!!

rickywashere · September 09, 2009, 01:56:34 AM

Quote from: thedeeredude on July 17, 2005, 10:20:17 AM
Maybe I'll get to saw a chestnut in my lifetime 8)

we can only hope i seen too many dead stumps that where bigggggg trees at one time and i would have loved to stick a saw in it....

Ron Scott · October 26, 2012, 09:07:10 PM

2012 American Chestnut Summit

The American Chestnut Foundation and the Forest Service presented the 2012 American Chestnut Summit, Oct. 19-21, in Asheville, N.C. The conference included presentations, workshops and the largest field tour ever held at the Bent Creek Experimental Forest. This summit brought together members, scientists, foresters and others who are interested in or working on restoration of American chestnut to Eastern forests. Nearly 70 participants viewed American chestnut test plantings and learned about the ongoing research and cooperative studies between The American Chestnut Foundation, the Forest Service and other state and local partners.

The Chief's Newsletter

Phorester · October 26, 2012, 09:45:50 PM

American chestnut sprout in the Blue Ridge mountains of Clarke county, VA.

Landowner's agent with her hand on a branch to highlight the leaves. The 3" dbh chestnut sprout is on her left.

I see probably half a dozen such sprouts every year in my work area. Not unusual. They're all over these mountains.

just_sawing · October 27, 2012, 05:41:48 AM

Their are chestnut groves is the south. One on the tn Carolina border is about five acres. The 15/16 are actively being planted here. ,my house trim, doors and windows are chestnut. I will be planting the trees offered by the forestry department on my farm.