American Chestnut Cooperators' Foundation

Breeding for Blight Resistance:

Grafting

ACCF planted our all-American orchard in a forest clearing on a steep mountain slope. Resistance trials identified two top performers:  a (Floyd x Gault) named Ruth and a (Gault x Floyd) named Miles.

By the time our tests had identified the best trees from which to make the second generation crosses (1992), they were already too tall for us to reach the flowers high in their crowns.

We grafted Miles and Ruth on flat ground in full sun where they make a spreading form, for easy controlled pollination to cross Ruth x Miles and Miles x Ruth.

First year growth of a Miles Graft!

American Chestnut Cooperators' Foundation

We engage senior citizens and school children, volunteers and professionals in planting, grafting and harvesting American Chestnuts.

To join our efforts contact Ed Greenwell

May 1999

Aug 1999(behind)