Blight evaluation - this is a first round of evaluating how the blight is affecting the trees. Well, actually, it is more about evaluating how the trees are reacting to having the blight. Some show little to no resistance, while others show active "fighting" of this invader. That "fight" is what is being looked for!
Above: TACF Southeast Regional Science Coordinator, Tom Saielli, evaluates inoculated Louisville area chestnut trees for resistance.
Above: KY-TACF President, Lynn Garrison, records blight resistance evaluation data.
Above: A blighted back-crossed 15/16th American chestnut tree shows some resistance to blight.
This initial evaluation is a start to selecting only a few trees from the several hundred within the orchard that will be bred forward in order to develop Restoration Chestnut 1.0 nuts for test planting in the woods of Kentucky. These trees will have genetics from Kentucky, so should be well adapted to our environment.
Louisville Branch members and other interested parties will be heading out into the woods on December 14 to search for surviving American chestnut trees and stump sprouts in the Horine Reservation of Jefferson Memorial Forest. Email kchacha@yahoo.com if you are interested in joining in on the search. If local material is found, it would be wonderful to add it to the KY-TACF State Chapter's breeding program!
A morning that started with sunshine and chill in the air quickly changed to an overcast late morning. However, being in an orchard of beautiful chestnut trees in the fall made it seem that warmth was coming directly from the ground. Seeing blighted trees does not glimmer the greatest hope, but seeing blighted chestnut trees that are showing resistance to this invader makes hope shine like high noon on a clear day in mid-summer!
These trees will, again, be evaluated next spring. Additional evaluations will take place once resistant trees are identified within the orchard. Other traits, such as American characteristics (straight trunk/single leader, fast growth, etc) will be included until only a handful of trees will meet minimal requirements to move forward in the breeding program. The other trees will be "culled from the herd," if you will, or might even be utilized to "clone" the highly desirable trees to the living stumps by grafting. This will multiply future nut production of the highly resistant/desirable trees.
A fall look down the rows of a Louisville area American chestnut breeding orchard.
Newsworthy: On January 25, 2014, at The Bard's Town on Bardstown Road, the Louisville Branch of KY-TACF will be hosting a fundraiser for area chestnut activities. Live bluegrass music will be played by Millers Folly Bluegrass Band www.millersfolly.com, there will be TACF and local activity information available, plan on getting some 50/50 raffle tickets, because the drawing will take place this night, great food and beverages will be available and the fun is just an added bonus! Part of the fundraising activities will include a $5 cover at the door. This will be going to chestnut activities, not to the business. So, be sure to tip your wait staff! Mark your calendar now and plan to head to the Highlands area on Bardstown Road on January 25, 2014, from 6:30 PM until 10:00 PM!
Questions, an interest in getting involved or want to see some chestnut trees growing in Louisville? Email Keith at kchacha@yahoo.com for more information!
