Learn how to search for Chestnut trees!

Here is a note from Rex Mann:

Dear Friends of American chestnut:

 

The goal of the American Chestnut Foundation is to restore American chestnuts into eastern forests.  To that end, TACF has been conducting a breeding program since the early 1980's to produce an American chestnut that is resistant to the chestnut blight fungus.  That goal will be realized in another four to five years, but we need mother tree orchards (germplasm conservation orchards or GCO's) of pure American chestnuts as part of the restoration project.  GCO's need to be established so the blight resistant trees can be crossed with pure Americans to develop locally adapted trees.  Thus, we need American chestnuts from KY to establish a number of GCO's. 

 

On June 20, 2018, the KY chapter of TACF will conduct a hike at Natural Bridge State Park, beginning at 5 pm.  The hike will be less than two miles and will not be strenuous.  The hike will be led by Rex Mann of TACF and Tom Sielli, TACF's Mid-Atlantic coordinator.  The purpose of the hike is to teach participants where to look for and how to identify chestnut sprouts.  Tom will explain how to use a free app, Tree Snap, on your smart phone so information on wild chestnut trees can be uploaded to TACF.  Participants are encouraged to download Tree Snap to their phones prior to the hike.  Search for Tree Snap in your app store and/or check out the Tree Snap website at:  https://treesnap.org/.

  

Our goal is to train folks to use the Tree Snap program with the hope that these people will train others, who love the woods, to locate American chestnuts so we can begin developing GCO's.  We look forward to seeing you on June 20.  We will meet in the lobby of the lodge at 5 pm, and the hike will begin at 5:15.  The restaurant at Natural Bridge serves excellent food if you want to eat before or after the hike. 

 

Please let me know by June 14 if you can attend.  If you have questions call Rex Mann at 859 771-3477.

 

Thanks,

Rex Mann