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The Bedford Area Master Gardener Chestnut Project was created and approved in early 2024. This project will shepherd the planting of a dozen backcross hybrid American Chestnut trees at Falling Creek Park, in Bedford County.
Located along the Bluebird Trail, the chestnut site is nestled on the lower slope of a former hayfield that was once part of a dairy farm.
Chestnut seedlings for the project will be offspring from the “Best by Best” backcross hybrids grown at The American Chestnut Foundation’s Meadowview Research Farm. Other seedlings will be offspring from open-pollinated hybrid trees growing in Lesesne State Forest ( Virginia Department of Forestry research forest, Nelson County). In addition, one wild-type American chestnut tree will be planted to allow for comparison.
This project is a partnership of BAMGA, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and Bedford County Parks and Rec, in collaboration with the VA Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation. It is one of many efforts throughout Virginia and the Appalachian Region working to re-establish young chestnuts, with the hope of enabling restoration of American Chestnuts to their native range.
Please consider joining the planting at Falling Creek Park on Saturday, November 9th at 10am.
FOR FURTHER READING:
American Chestnut The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree by Susan Freinkel
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