West Virginia Chapter

About Us

The West Virginia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation (WV-TACF) was established in 2009, the last of TACF’s 16 state chapters to be incorporated. Hybrid chestnut trees have been planted at 68 sites in 26 WV counties. We have initiated germplasm conservation orchards (pure American chestnut plantings) at seven sites in the state. Chapter members help support the mission of the national organization by planting hybrid chestnuts, conducting education, research, and outreach.

If you would like to participate in this group please join us. We include people from all areas that have an interest in restoring this magnificent tree to our forests. When you join The American Chestnut Foundation, a portion of your dues will be shared with the WV-TACF Chapter.

To learn more about who we are and what we do, read our monthly newsletter!

Chestnut Identification

Distinguishing American from Chinese and European Chestnut

Sometimes, individuals who come across a tall chestnut tree in a forest setting, assume it must be an American chestnut.  This is not always the case.  In forest settings, Chinese chestnut, like its American cousin, also can grown straight and tall.  Leaf shape, leaf hairs and twig color are good characteristics to distinguish American from Chinese chestnut.  American chestnut leaves are generally long and slender with a “V” at the leaf base.  Chinese chestnuts have a wider leaf and they are often shiny.  Chinese chestnut leaves have a “U” shape at the leaf base.  Most striking are the hairs on the under-surface of Chinese chestnut leaves.  American chestnut leaves have no hairs.  Chinese twigs, generally brown in color, also have hairs.  American twigs, generally exhibit a reddish color, and like the leaves, the twigs have no hairs.  Buds are another characteristic–American buds are pointed compared to rounded Chinese buds.

In some areas of the eastern U.S., European chestnut trees can be found.  In comparison, European twigs are much stouter than either American or Chinese chestnut.  Buds on a European are often large and green in early spring, turning darker by mid-summer.  Buds are green in the spring, turning dark in summer.

Click here for more chestnut leaf and tree identification information.

WV Chapter Board of Directors

President

Mark Double, Morgantown

Vice President

Jerry Legg, Elkview

Secretary

Jeff Kochenderfer, Petersburg

Treasurer

Sam Muncy, Philippi

Board Members

Dr. Lewis Cook, Fayetteville

Linda Coyle, Keyser

Dr. Joe Golden, Beckley

Jimmy Jenkins, Flatwoods

Carla Kesling, Bridgeport

Dr. Don Kines, Davis

Dr. Brian Perkins, Elkins

Charles Sypolt, Glenville

Dr. Melissa Thomas-Van Gundy, Elkins

West Virginia Chapter Menu

National Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Happening this week! In WNC and curious about American chestnuts? This documentary screening has you covered!

This free screening of TACF's documentary CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut will be shown at Asheville Pizza and Brewing, followed by a Q&A with TACF sstaff. Registration is required for this free event, visit forms.monday.com/forms/9ebb947ec489d7166913bd24fc70699b?r=use1 or scan the QR code to sign up.
... See MoreSee Less

Happening this week! In WNC and curious about American chestnuts? This documentary screening has you covered!

This free screening of TACFs documentary CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut will be shown at Asheville Pizza and Brewing, followed by a Q&A with TACF sstaff. Registration is required for this free event, visit https://forms.monday.com/forms/9ebb947ec489d7166913bd24fc70699b?r=use1 or scan the QR code to sign up.

There are so many magical quotes from Bob Ross about happy little trees, but this one sums it up nicely. This is dedicated to all the friends of the American chestnut. Together we can make the world a little greener and brighter. ... See MoreSee Less

There are so many magical quotes from Bob Ross about happy little trees, but this one sums it up nicely. This is dedicated to all the friends of the American chestnut. Together we can make the world a little greener and brighter.

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

Definitely agree.

Bob Ross was an American treasure.

Virginia friends, more seed orchard planting events are coming up!

MARCH 16th: Banshee Reeks
MARCH 23rd: Sky Meadows State Park

Join us at either of these events (or both!) to help us sow chestnuts. Follow the links for further details.

March 16: tacf.org/event/va-seed-orchard-planting-banshee-reeks/
March 23: tacf.org/event/va-seed-orchard-planting-sky-meadows-state-park/
... See MoreSee Less

Virginia friends, more seed orchard planting events are coming up! 

MARCH 16th: Banshee Reeks
MARCH 23rd: Sky Meadows State Park

Join us at either of these events (or both!) to help us sow chestnuts. Follow the links for further details. 

March 16: https://tacf.org/event/va-seed-orchard-planting-banshee-reeks/
March 23: https://tacf.org/event/va-seed-orchard-planting-sky-meadows-state-park/

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Wendell Tucker

Join us March 15 from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (ET), for TACF's next LIVE Chestnut Chat.

As chestnut enthusiasts, we often find ourselves sharing complex scientific information with friends, family, and colleagues. The good news is that you can make your science presentations more effective!

In this episode, Penn State’s Michael Alley will speak about a better way: the assertion-evidence approach. With this method, a speaker builds the talk upon key messages supported by visual evidence. Michael’s research has found that assertion-evidence talks are more focused and better understood by audiences. Join us to learn how to step up your science presentation game!

Visit the link for more information or to sign up. tacf.org/event/chestnut-chat-assertion-evidence-approach-to-presentations/
... See MoreSee Less

Join us March 15 from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (ET), for TACFs next LIVE Chestnut Chat. 

As chestnut enthusiasts, we often find ourselves sharing complex scientific information with friends, family, and colleagues. The good news is that you can make your science presentations more effective! 

In this episode, Penn State’s Michael Alley will speak about a better way: the assertion-evidence approach. With this method, a speaker builds the talk upon key messages supported by visual evidence. Michael’s research has found that assertion-evidence talks are more focused and better understood by audiences. Join us to learn how to step up your science presentation game!

Visit the link for more information or to sign up. https://tacf.org/event/chestnut-chat-assertion-evidence-approach-to-presentations/Image attachmentImage attachment

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is hiring! We're seeking a highly organized full-time Operations Specialist. The Operations Specialist is the face of TACF and is the first point of contact for all visitors to the national office in Asheville. They will balance a variety of responsibilities and must possess a high degree of flexibility, professional attitude, and initiative. The ideal candidate will understand a nonprofit environment and have a strong commitment to service.

Applications close at 12:00PM on March 22, 2024. Please visit the employment page for a complete job description and additional details. tacf.org/employment/
... See MoreSee Less

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is hiring! Were seeking a highly organized full-time Operations Specialist. The Operations Specialist is the face of TACF and is the first point of contact for all visitors to the national office in Asheville. They will balance a variety of responsibilities and must possess a high degree of flexibility, professional attitude, and initiative. The ideal candidate will understand a nonprofit environment and have a strong commitment to service.

Applications close at 12:00PM on March 22, 2024. Please visit the employment page for a complete job description and additional details. https://tacf.org/employment/
Load more

Latest News

Allegheny Chinquapin seeds sent to Arkansas

Allegheny chinquapin (Castanea pumila) seeds from the Clements Tree Nursery in Mason, WV were sent to the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park in Prairie Grove Arkansas.  There are about 200 chinquapin trees at the Mason County site, and a small bag-full of...

read more

Germination Time

Members of the West Virginia chapter gather in mid-March to pot chestnuts.  In readiness for potting, the bags of nuts that were stratified over the winter in a refrigerator were checked in mid-February to see how many had radicals.  In the photo, there is a wide...

read more

Arthurdale, WV

Arthurdale is a small, unincorporated community in northern West Virginia (Preston County).  It was one of 98 planned communities that were part of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal.  The town was built in 1933 at the height of the depression as a social...

read more