eSprout |  May 2016
"There is nothing more important and visionary than planting a tree so that our grandchildren can enjoy its fruit." 

The 2016 Spring Appeal supports Meadowview Research Farms. Meadowview drives our science, provides seeds, pollen, and other breeding materials on which all of our chapters depend.  Help us meet the needs of Meadowview's expanding scientific efforts by making a gift today!
Protecting your trees from predators great & small
By Kendra Collins
Chestnuts are very attractive to a wide range of possible predators. This is something most chestnut enthusiasts already know. So as we launch into planting season, TACF wants to offer a few helpful tips on how to best protect your trees from things such as deer, voles and mice, raccoons, chipmunks, turkeys, and insects. If your chestnuts have ever encountered such predators, you don't want to miss this!

By Brian Smith, Virginia Chapter
Brian Smith gives a detailed description of his visits to herbariums across the state of Virginia. What is a herbarium? It's a collection of plant specimens, typically dried plants. Specifically, Brian has been interested in the American chestnut samples collected and stored in these facilities. Based on his findings, Brian offers some interesting insight about Little's defined 'range' map. Read more about Brian's discoveries.

Winner Announced in American Chestnut Tappan Chair Drawing
Tom Jones of Amsterdam, NY is the winner of a hand-crafted American chestnut Tappan chair made by Adam Nudd-Homeyer of Sandwich, NH. This 'work of art' is simply beautiful and possesses a unique provenance and history. President of the Vermont/New Hampshire Chapter Yurij Bihun states, "In addition to the timeless design and craftsmanship, the lightness of the chestnut wood is part of this chair's unique appeal." This TACF membership incentive was held from February - March 2016. Everyone who joined or renewed a membership at the $250+ level was entered to win. Tom Jones has been an annual sponsor of TACF since 2012 and the Foundation congratulates him on this beautiful prize! 
In 2016, the NY Chapter of TACF is offering a $200 reward for the largest, pure American chestnut tree found within New York State. If yours isn't the largest, don't worry!  All trees over 14" DBH will be awarded $50.00. Read more about this contest and how to enter. 
 
Read the article about this event and video on the TACF website: 
   
May 7 / ME Chapter:  Planting at Bunker Road Seed Orchard in StetsonBunker Road Seed Orchard in Stetson, ME / 8 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.

May 7MD Chapter: Boonsboro Greenfest / Shafer Park, Boonsboro, Maryland / 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.

May 10 / VT/NH Chapter: The Restoration of the American Chestnut / NH Audubon's McLane Center. 84 Silk Farm Rd. Concord, NH / 7 P.M. - 8 P.M.

May 14 / Southern Regional MeetingOtis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center / College of Agriculture, Human, and Natural Sciences / Tennessee State University / 472 Cadillac Ln / McMinnville, TN 37110 / 9 A.M. - 3 P.M. 

May 14 / MA Chapter:  Orchard Work Party / Meiklejohn Orchard / 183 Silver St. Granville, MA / Please RSVP: 508-667-9685 / 10 A.M. - 4 P.M. 

May 14 & 15 / ME Chapter: 2-Day Planting Event at New Sweden Road Seed Orchard at Stetson / 8 A.M. - 3 P.M. 

May 21 & 22MA Chapter:  Springside Park Seed Orchard Volunteer Days sponsored by RSVP / 874 North St. Pittsfield, MA / 9 A.M. - 3 P.M.

May 21 & June 11 / PA Chapter:  Workday at the Wildlands Conservancy Orchard3701 Orchid Place Emmaus, PA 18049 /
 9 A.M. - 12 P.M. 

May 28 / MA Chapter:  SCA AmeriCorps Volunteer Day / Land's Sake / 27 Crescent St. Weston, MA / 10 A.M. - 2 P.M. 

June 4 / MA Chapter:  Mass Wildlife 150th Birthday Celebration (site of TACF Seed Orchard) / 1 Rabbit Hill Rd. Westborough, MA / 10 A.M. - 2 P.M.

June 4 / VT/NH Chapter:  Strolling of the Heifers, Slow Living ExpoThe Brattleboro Common, Main St. Brattleboro, VT / 9 A.M. - 4 P.M.

Details about all of these TACF events (and more) are available on our website calendar at:  http://www.acf.org/calendar.php. 
The American Chestnut Foundation
50 North Merrimon Ave, Suite 115
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 281-0047
               
The mission of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is to restore the American chestnut tree to our eastern woodlands to benefit our environment, our wildlife, and our society.

TACF is a 501(c)(3) conservation organization headquartered in Asheville, NC. To learn about TACF and its national breeding program, visit www.acf.org. To join the effort to restore the American chestnut tree, visit www.acf.org/join.php.