Rescuing the

American Chestnut

Our mission is to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.

Our vision is a robust eastern forest returned to its splendor.

Chestnut Chat Series

Growing Chestnuts: Best Practices for Planting and Maintaining American Chestnut Trees

Join us on April 19, 2024, from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (EPT), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat. Ready to get your hands dirty? Let’s talk about growing chestnuts! In this episode, we will cover all the basics of planting, growing, and maintaining American chestnut trees. TACF staff and expert volunteers will talk about how to plant chestnuts from seed and from seedlings, including bareroot and containerized seedlings, as well as considerations for planting in the spring versus the fall. Bring your questions and don’t miss this Chestnut Chat that is sure to become an instant classic.

Ciera Wilbur planting an American chestnut seedling
TACF 40th Anniversary logo

Join the celebration!

The American Chestnut Foundation is celebrating its 40th anniversary! We invite you to join us at one of the many chapter festivities this year. Non-members are welcome to attend.

map of 40th anniversary celebrations for The American Chestnut Foundation

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 seeds & seedlings

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

Latest News

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Ask away!

Our April 19 Chestnut Chat will provide detailed instructions on how to grow chestnuts. But we need to hear your questions so we know what to cover!

Please add your questions in the comments below and we will do our best to cover them all in the April Chestnut Chat.

Remember there are no dumb questions! We encourage everybody, from complete beginners to seasoned pros, to join in.

Let's grow some chestnuts!

Can't wait for an answer? Check out our Growing Chestnuts page in the meantime at tacf.org/growing-chestnuts
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Ask away!

Our April 19 Chestnut Chat will provide detailed instructions on how to grow chestnuts. But we need to hear your questions so we know what to cover!

Please add your questions in the comments below and we will do our best to cover them all in the April Chestnut Chat.

Remember there are no dumb questions! We encourage everybody, from complete beginners to seasoned pros, to join in.

Lets grow some chestnuts!

Cant wait for an answer? Check out our Growing Chestnuts page in the meantime at https://tacf.org/growing-chestnuts

6 CommentsComment on Facebook

Where can we find seedlings? Seeds?

What is a good fertilizer to use for them!

we would love to grow them haven't had them since england as a girl x

I have 3 Dunstan Chestnuts planted for a few years but I want an American-Chinese Chestnut hybrid that is 75% or more genetically American Chestnut. Is there such chestnut hybrids available commercially (meaning 2 or 3 for my yard, I’m not starting a chestnut orchard) and if so, where?

What other kind of trees or vegetation should they NOT be plant near?

Best place to source from.

View more comments

Did you know that TACF has 16 state chapters? They each host a variety of events over the year and here are some that are coming up soon.

Visit our events calendar for more information on these and other TACF happenings. tacf.org/events/category/tacf/
... See MoreSee Less

Did you know that TACF has 16 state chapters? They each host a variety of events over the year and here are some that are coming up soon. 

Visit our events calendar for more information on these and other TACF happenings. https://tacf.org/events/category/tacf/

Thank you to everyone who attended a 40th Anniversary Celebration with their local chapter of TACF.

Top photo: Attendees of the TN Chapter Annual Meeting and 40th Anniversary Celebration, which took place at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens.

Bottom photo: Attendees of the AL Chapter post-meeting enjoying some brews.

To read more about these and many other TACF happenings, visit the link to read our most recent eSprout newsletter. myemail.constantcontact.com/March-2024-eSprout--Documentary-Wins-an-Award--Domain-Change--Plantin...
... See MoreSee Less

Thank you to everyone who attended a 40th Anniversary Celebration with their local chapter of TACF. 

Top photo: Attendees of the TN Chapter Annual Meeting and 40th Anniversary Celebration, which took place at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens.

Bottom photo: Attendees of the AL Chapter post-meeting enjoying some brews. 

To read more about these and many other TACF happenings, visit the link to read our most recent eSprout newsletter. https://myemail.constantcontact.com/March-2024-eSprout--Documentary-Wins-an-Award--Domain-Change--Planting-Resources--TACF-News--Featured-Photo--Chapter-News.html?soid=1106103828995&aid=M8kn7e4P1A4

Thanks to everybody who joined us Tuesday for an American chestnut demonstration planting with Jamie Van Clief (TACF Regional Science Coordinator) and Jon Taylor (chestnut enthusiast extraordinaire) at West Asheville Park's edible garden in Asheville, NC!

To find a planting event near you, vist tacf.org/events (link in bio)
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1 CommentComment on Facebook

Are those the 18-20’s from the TVA plot? Good use for them, glad to see

🎥 Have you seen the award-winning chestnut documentary yet? 🌰

Many thanks to all who came out to the screening of Clear Day Thunder: Rescuing the American Chestnut at Asheville Pizza & Brewing on Tuesday night.

Fun fact: The only two people in this photo with their backs to the screen are Jamie Van Clief and Jared Westbrook, TACF's Southern Regional Outreach Coordinator and TACF's Director of Science, both of whom are featured in the film and are probably sick of watching themselves 😎

Want to see this inspirational film yourself? Find a screening near you here: rescuingtheamericanchestnut.com/screenings
... See MoreSee Less

🎥 Have you seen the award-winning chestnut documentary yet? 🌰

Many thanks to all who came out to the screening of Clear Day Thunder: Rescuing the American Chestnut at Asheville Pizza & Brewing on Tuesday night.

Fun fact: The only two people in this photo with their backs to the screen are Jamie Van Clief and Jared Westbrook, TACFs Southern Regional Outreach Coordinator and TACFs Director of Science, both of whom are featured in the film and are probably sick of watching themselves 😎

Want to see this inspirational film yourself? Find a screening near you here: https://rescuingtheamericanchestnut.com/screenings

1 CommentComment on Facebook

I’d love to go to a screening, but there are apparently none planned for anywhere Northern Virginia where I live.. we can’t make it available to TACF members via the website?

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Upcoming Events

3:30PM - 5:30PM

On March 28, 2024 from 3:30 - 5:30, the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve is hosting a screening of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) award-winning documentary Clear Day Thunder: Rescuing […]

9:30AM - 12:00PM

SPECIAL GUIDED TOUR:Saturday, March 30, 9:30am to Noon, Lesesne State ForestLesesne State ForestLatitude/Longitude: 37° 50′ 32.3″, -78° 57′ 50.0″ Learn about the History of Chestnut BreedingJoin us for a walking […]