Dickey Orchard Inoculation

On June 7, 2011, the Maryland Chapter inoculated approximately 200 chestnut trees at the Dickey Orchard in Anne Arundel County. Inoculation is the process of infecting trees with the chestnut blight in order to see how much resistance they have inherited from their parents. Trees that demonstrate good disease resistance will become parents of the next generation in the backcross breeding program.

Carroll County Public School Orchards

Thirteen chestnut orchards were planted by the students and teachers with seed chestnuts provided by the Maryland Chapter. Two examples of these orchards are shown here.

North Carroll High (planted 2008) ------------ Francis Scott Key High (planted 2010)

New Pollination Technique

This is our latest pollination technique; using pollen filled helium balloons, a gun and a fishing rod and reel. The pollen filled balloons are allowed to rise to near the top of the flowering chestnut tree, and then the balloons are shot, releasing the pollen.

Chestnut Jamboree - May 6, 2010

The Chestnut Jamboree, held at Hashawha Environmental Center in Carroll County, celebrated Carroll County Public Schools tenth year of involvement in the restoration of the American Chestnut.

Pollination - June 16, 2010

With equipment and personnel from the Bartlett Tree Experts we pollinated the Curtis tree with pollen collected from other chestnut trees.

Chestnut Harvest - October 1, 2010

Our crew harvested the pollinated nuts from the Curtis tree with help from Bartlett Tree Experts.