Poplar Forest Hosts Talk on Restoring American Chestnut Trees to Virginia Forests

From staff reports

Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest will host a talk and ceremonial tree planting presented by the American Chestnut Foundation at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 13 in the Hands on History Pavilion.

Kathy Marmet, vice president for education for the Virginia chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation will discuss “American Chestnut Restoration in Virginia: Returning a Giant to our Forests.” Following the talk, American chestnut trees will be planted on the Poplar Forest grounds, with remarks by foundation president and CEO Marshal Case.

The event is free and open to the public. Regular admission will be charged for those interested in a house tour. Visitors will have to walk approximately half a mile to the ceremony site on the grounds.

The goal of the foundation is to restore a blight-resistant American chestnut tree to its native range within the woodlands of the eastern United States, using a scientific research and breeding program. Virtually wiped out in the first half of the 20th century by a blight imported from Asia, the American chestnut tree was an essential component of the entire eastern U.S. ecosystem.

The foundation is a non-profit organization with nearly 6,000 members and chapters in 17 states. Call (802) 447-0110 or visit http://www.acf.org for more information.