The American chestnut tree once dominated our eastern forests. Over 100 years ago the chestnut blight essentially wiped the tree out. The American Chestnut Foundation and the Kerr Scott Army Corps of Engineers have teamed up in a research planting of potentially blight resistant American Chestnuts in a Silviculture Research Study. The study area received the most advanced chestnut trees available to resist the chestnut blight and the trees are planted in a real forest setting.
A large group of volunteers showed up to provide the manpower for planting the 650 seedlings. Students from West Wilkes High School, ASU, and Wilkes Community were on hand. There were individuals local to Wilkes and I met one from Taylorsville and one from Greensboro, all volunteering their time to help get the chestnut back into our forests.
Bradley Fox (left) of Taylorsville and Fred Clodfelter (right) of Greensboro planting seedlings.
It was a nice day to get out and get some exercise, help a great cause, see some old friends and meet some new friends.
To help the cause check out The American Chestnut Foundation at acf.org. There are plenty of hands on opportunities to get involved or you can just send money. Both are welcome.
The completed planting with seedlings in tree shelters and cages.
