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.
Sponsor a nut and watch the pile grow!
This summer, we’re aiming to produce 1,000 hand-pollinated nuts for our genomic-assisted breeding program, and each one is a vital step toward restoring the American chestnut. Producing a single nut takes time, tools, and teamwork, so these nuts aren’t cheap! Each one costs us about $25 to produce.
By sponsoring just one nut for $25, you’re helping us bring the American chestnut back to our forests. Sponsor a handful, and you’re helping to rebuild an entire ecosystem.
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QUIZ: What does RGS stand for?
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Learn more about the exciting new RGS breeding program at TACF!
You can make a difference in this uplifting work!
TACF is harnessing the power of genomics. This spring, your support is driving a breakthrough: recurrent genomic selection. By combining DNA tools with decades of traditional breeding, we’re speeding up the development of blight-resistant trees with strong American traits—and scaling up faster than ever.
Please support the Spring Appeal
did you know?
TACF is the steward of the most blight-resistant and most genetically diverse majority-American chestnut population in the world.
This population is the foundation of our advanced RGS breeding program!
Inspiring!
CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut is now available! For just $10, you will receive unlimited views and the ability to download and watch on multiple devices.
All proceeds support The American Chestnut Foundation’s mission to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.
Science Strategies
Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biodiversity
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 Biodiversity, United for Restoration). These research tracks are implemented through mutually beneficial collaborations, so we can explore all avenues to reach the common goal of saving and restoring this species as quickly as possible.
Support Our Research
Found a tree?
Learn how to identify American chestnuts and send us a sample for identification.
Support The Restoration
Want a tree?
Learn how to get American chestnut seeds from TACF.
Latest News
A New Beginning: Fresh Leadership for TACF’s New York Chapter
The Executive Committee of The American Chestnut Foundation’s (TACF) Board of Directors voted in May 2025 to establish a newly restructured, unincorporated New York (NY) Chapter. We warmly welcome a dynamic new leadership team: President Dazzle Ekblad, Treasurer Kurt...
Rolling Out a Unified Look: TACF Chapter Logos Now Live Across All State Chapters
The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is excited to announce the official rollout of newly designed logos for all state chapters. This initiative is part of a larger strategy to create a cohesive and professional visual identity across the entire organization,...
Changes to TACF’s NY Chapter
The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) works proudly alongside its 16 state chapters throughout the eastern US to fulfill our collective mission to return the American chestnut to its native range. Each chapter is crucial to this work, and their diverse contributions...
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This summer, we’re aiming to produce 1,000 hand-pollinated nuts for our genomic-assisted breeding program, and each one is a vital step toward restoring the American chestnut.
Producing a single nut takes time, tools, and teamwork. From pollination to harvest, every step is a vital part of the process to ensure that each nut has the best chance possible to grow into a more blight-resistant tree.
Here’s what goes into a single $25 nut:
Pollination Bag: $5
Hand Pollination Process: $5
Harvesting the Nut: $5
Shucking & Storing: $5
Equipment & Fuel: $5
Total per Nut: $25
By supporting just one nut, you’re helping us bring the American chestnut back to our forests. Support a handful, and you’re helping to rebuild an entire ecosystem.
This nutty campaign only runs from June 3 to 23, and we’ve got 1,000 nuts to grow. Join us!
support.tacf.org/nuts
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Howdy. He have four American Chestnuts together, growing opposite of several Chinese. They are about 20 years old. An interesting study.
Can you advise on the percentage of success of these nuts to generating a nut producing tree? I’m working on restoring 80 acres and would like to attempt to have some American dominant gene trees on the property that produce nuts but don’t want to take the risk of $100 for four nuts to only find out the percentage of success is still relatively small. Sorry for the likely noob question
ive got a collection of them started will they really produce chestnuts by 5 years of age?
There are two work opportunities on June 7, 2025 for members of the WV Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation.
The first is at the U.S. Forest Service property at 459 Nursery Bottom Road, Parsons. Work will begin at 10:00AM at the 'American Chestnut' sign. We will lay out spots for a 100-tree orchard that will be planted next spring. We also will weed the existing orchard and conduct other miscellaneous tasks. Bring gloves, water and lunch. A bathroom is available.
The second opportunity is at Jennings Randolph Lake north of Elk Garden in Mineral County. Forty American chestnut trees will be planted at the Roger Craig campground. Work will begin at 9:00 am. Bring gloves, water and a snack. This work is conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
If you are available to assist at either of these two work sites, it will be much appreciated.
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
What an incredible tree the American chestnut was! As The American Chestnut Foundations continues its decades-long work to restore this species, we welcome you to join the cause!
Become a member, volunteer with your local chapter, or simply spread the word about this incredible tree. Visit support.tacf.org/membership to get started.
18 CommentsComment on Facebook
They can bring back a dead wolf from hundreds of years ago but they won’t bring back something useful like the American chestnut
I still have the audubon society, saying my chestnut tree, horse chestnut, has the largest girth in the state of michigan... The tree is gone, but the stump is still standing there.Proud.
And they are all gone because of humans
Upcoming Events
All are welcome! July 20, 2025 (HYBRID) Please send agenda items to Kathy.