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Carefully map the location of the sprout and contact
TACF. It may be that it is resistant to the disease and TACF would be
interested in seeing if it can flower and produce seeds.
There is a lot of scientific work being done to bring
back the chestnut, primarily at Meadowview Research Farms in western
Virginia. At Meadowview researchers are backcross breeding the
American chestnut with the Chinese chestnut, which is immune to the
disease. At the conference I attended at Cohutta Lodge on Fort
Mountain on Saturday, July 17, a number of scientists spoke about
their work with backcross breeding to generate an almost pure
American chestnut species. The Chinese species is not as tall, the
wood is not as good, and the nuts are not tasty. The Chinese trees do
not thrive in the eastern forests. They often suffer from the cold
and die an early death compared to their American cousins, and their
nuts are not as beneficial to native wildlife. So the goal is to
retain the qualities of the native species while gaining the
resistance properties of the Chinese species.
We also heard from state TACF coordinators, who
reported on the work of laymen in their states. Their activities
range from climbing trees to put bags over exposed reproductive
receptors to interviewing old people who remember the trees and can
give personal accounts of their contact with them. After a hot dog
lunch in Fort Mountain State Park, we were taken on trails in the
park where chestnut sprouts are found. My particular group was led by
Don Davis, one of those spearheading the formation of a Georgia
chapter of TACF. If you get involved in this enterprise, I think you
will derive a lot of satisfaction, both personal and physical. The
whole idea of helping to restore such a magnificent native tree seems
almost a patriotic duty. Thus, I hope you will heed the call of your
country and do your part, by contributing to the cause and
participating if you can. Don Davis can be reached at Dalton State
College at 706-272-2676 or 800- 829-4436. His email is |
ddavis@em.daltonstate.edu.
Another person involved in the Georgia project is
Jerry Smith at smithminifarm@charter.net. A good contact in the
Asheville office of TACF is Phillip Pritchard, Director of
Development and Special Projects. He can be contacted at 828-281-0047
or pritchard@acf.org. Phil asked that I include the following
statement in my article: TACF has received funding support from
the National Forest Foundation for research to restore the American
chestnut tree to its native woodlands.
The National Forest Foundation, chartered by
Congress, engages America in community-based and national programs
that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 192 million-acre
National Forest System, and accepts and administers private gifts of
funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests. The American
Chestnut Foundation is a
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501(c)(3) organization, so your contribution is
partially tax deductible. The address is The American Chestnut
Foundation, P.O. Box 4044, Bennington, VT 05201-4044. The website is
www.acf.org.
I like to think of the American chestnut tree as a
highly important legacy we can leave for our grandchildren to enjoy.
Due to the tragic consequences of the blight infestation several
generations of Americans have been denied the joy of their company.
But through the dedication of scientists and tree lovers everywhere,
it may one day be possible for a future Longfellow to write, .Under
the spreading chestnut tree/ The village smithy stands..
Where there be mountains, there be chestnuts .,.
a brochure published by The American Chestnut Foundation. This is the
primary source of information for this article.
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