The Bedford Area Master Gardener Chestnut Project was created and approved in early 2024. This project will shepherd a dozen backcross hybrid American Chestnut trees planted 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 are offspring from the “Best by Best” backcross hybrids grown at The American Chestnut Foundation’s Meadowview Research Farm. Other seedlings are 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 was 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.
The chestnut trees were planted by on November 9, 2024.
FOR FURTHER READING:
American Chestnut The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree by Susan Freinkel
