The American Chestnut Foundation
The American Chestnut Foundation is working to restore the American chestnut tree to our eastern woodlands to benefit our environment, our wildlife, and our society.
The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is a nonprofit conservation, education, and scientific organization with one of the most ambitious rescue missions in the natural world–to save a beloved tree species from extinction. Founded in 1983 and based in Asheville, NC, TACF and its 16 state chapters are working to restore the American chestnut tree to eastern forests. We employ breeding, biotechnology, and biocontrol to develop a blight-resistant American chestnut tree in order to save the species and return it to its native range which stretches from Maine to Alabama. We are supported by private individuals and family foundations, and the majority of our work is done by thousands of dedicated citizen scientists and partners.
Our Mission: Our mission is to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.
Chestnut Chat: Balancing High-Flying Ideas and Grounded Methods for Faster Genetic Gain
How to find American chestnuts in the wild using iNaturalist
Chestnut Chat: Breeding Disease Resistance in Loblolly Pine and Prospects for American Chestnut
Американское каштановое песочное печенье с пастой из черного ореха
Спасение американского каштана с помощью рекуррентной геномной селекции (RGS)
Chestnut Chat: Beetle Evolution and Rediscover of the Greater Chestnut Weevil. May 16, 2025
Chestnut Chat. Chestnut Growers Town Hall: American Chestnut Growing and Restoration
Chestnut Chat: How American Chestnut Hybrids Interact with Their Environment
Chestnut Chat: Town Hall and Peer-to-Peer Learning
Chestnut Chat: A Half-Century of Recovery Efforts for the Endangered Virginia Round-leaf Birch
TACF is Switching From Seedlings to Seeds
Chestnut Chat: Chestnuts Roasting Holiday Special
Sakshi, the Chestnut Roaster of Asheville
Chestnut Chat: The History of American Chestnut Breeding and New Innovations
Chestnut Chat: Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change 8/16/2024
Cassie & Denny, Episode 11: The End
Cassie & Denny, Episode 10: Aphid Pee
Chestnut Chat: 50th Episode, Inspiring the Next Generation 7/19/2024
Cassie & Denny Episode 9: Phytophthora root rot
Cassie and Denny, Episode 8: Pollen
Cassie & Denny, Episode 7: Blight
Cassie & Denny, Episode 6: Genotyping
Cassie & Denny, Episode 5: Flowers
Cassie & Denny, Episode 4: What's in a name?
TACF's 2024 Spring Appeal: Bridging Science and Nature
Chestnut Chat: Impressions of Natural Stands of European Chestnuts 5/17/24
Chestnut Chat: Habitat Suitability
Cassie & Denny, Episode 3: Stipules
Cassie & Denny, Episode 2: Buds
Cassie & Denny, Episode 1 (A Year in the Life of Two American Chestnuts)