The Massachusetts Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation
Susan Cormier, President
23 Marlene Drive, Feeding Hills, Ma 01030 || 413-789-0803 || machapter@acf.org
Anne M. Myers, Tree Identification Committee for TACF-MA
33 Chase Run, Stoughton, MA 02072 || 781-344-9836 || ammyers@massmed.org
January 6, 2001
Dear Chestnut Enthusiast,
Thank you for your interest in regard to identifying a possible American Chestnut tree. The Massachusetts Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation (TACF-MA) has now developed a Tree Identification Form to help gather more specific information about each tree. The back of this form will also help you distinguish between other separate species, like beech and horse chestnuts, that can be confused with the true chestnut species. In particular, make sure the tree is not the more common "Horse Chestnut", which is a completely separate family called Aesculus. The form will also help you start to distinguish between American chestnuts, and the other forms of chestnuts in cultivation, particularly Chinese and Japanese forms.
If the tree you have seen is one of the true chestnut species, we would like to ask you to submit the Tree ID form with a specimen to me at the above address. Please note that the leaves to be examined should be fully expanded, from parts of the tree exposed to full sun (if possible) and not from within 6 inches of flowers. Generally, depending on the particular year, leaves will be fully mature after mid to late-June. A side branch or twig with a cluster of leaves works well. Also include several mature shade leaves. (See detailed instructions at the end of the Tree ID form). If the tree is a possible tree for breeding (that is a flowering tree), we also ask you to contact one of us directly by phone so we can arrange a "tree visit" to assess the accessibility of the tree.
Each year, we are hoping to locate 5-10 accessible, native, blooming American trees (verified as such), each in a different part of the state so that we can pollinate new and diverse family lines each year. We need to establish many lines of Massachusetts’ American chestnut trees to encourage genetic diversity for a successful re-introduction of the species into our woodlands. If your tree will be setting nuts this year, then harvesting the pure American nuts in the fall is also helpful, since these can be grown as control trees in an orchard setting, and be used later for back-cross breeding.
If you tree turns out to be a Chinese or Japanese chestnut species, or a European hybrid, please do not be disappointed. We are keeping a registry of all Massachusetts chestnut species. It is helpful to our efforts to discover the full extent of chestnut cultivation in Massachusetts. We would also appreciate permission to view your tree, since this helps our education efforts.
If you need more forms, please feel free to print the form from the web and distribute.
Cordially,
Anne M. Myers
The Tree Identification Committee for TACF-MA