Galax Students enjoy American Chestnut Celebration

Saturday, October 22nd was a day of celebration at the Glenn C. Price Research Farm in Meadowview, VA. For seven years now, The American Chestnut Foundation has been celebrating the successes of the research revolving around the American Chestnut tree. This year, BRDC took eight excited and enthusiastic young ladies from Galax Middle School to learn about the American Chestnut tree and enjoy the festivities. 

As October should be, the day began cold and blustery. It didn't stop these girls as they bundled up for the hayride through the orchards to hear about the trees and the research that was going on at this location.

Upon our return to the facility, we gathered our tickets for door prizes and raffle drawings. Each student deposited their raffle ticket in a jar in hopes of winning the drawing for that prize. They then migrated to the beverage counter for some complimentary hot chocolate to warm them up. There were numerous treats all made from the flour and/or nuts of the chestnut. All the girls sampled the cookies, cakes, brownies and of course...roasted chestnuts!

Outside, craft stations were set up and included pumpkin decorating, cookie decorating, and making luminaries. The girls all participated in these crafts as well.

There was also an old apple press and some apples being pressed for cider.  The girls took a turn at working the press and getting to sample the "fruit juice" of their labor.

Back inside we went to get warmed up with a great tour of the lab given by Tom Saielli, Regional Science Coordinator. There they study the fungus that kills the tree. Seeing state of the art equipment used for scientific research was a real treat! 

The day ended with live music and raffle drawings. The girls enjoyed a great afternoon and left with lots of loot! 

Galax Middle School Studies Leaves, Invasive Plants and the American Chestnut

Friday, October 14th, students from Galax Middle School traveled to Matthews State Forest to learn about the forests of the Blue Ridge. We met with Zach Olinger, a Forester with the MSF, and began an enlightening afternoon hiking around Matthews State Forest.  

We first began our educational tour with leaf identification. Mr. Olinger discussed the native trees of the area and then guided us to some of these trees around the property. The students also received information about non-native ornamental tress brought in from other countries. There are a large number of heirloom apple trees on the property and they delighted us with a tasty treat!

The second phase of the hike revolved around invasive plants. In a small wooded area near the pond, Mr. Olinger handed each of the students a picture of a non-native invasive plant species. The scavenger hunt began as students were sent out to see if they could find any of these plants. Unfortunately, in a very small area, 7 invasive species were discovered by the students. 

Finally, we reached the American Chestnut grove. Here, students learned of the research being conducted on the reestablishment of the American Chestnut tree. Matthews State Forest is the site of one of many orchards with fourth generation American Chestnut trees. Students learned about backcrossing to create a genetically blight resistant American Chestnut tree. They examined the differences between the Chinese Chestnut and the American Chestnut tree based on this backcrossing using their leaves and tree structure as examples. 

Young Explorers Find an American Chestnut Tree

Last Thursday night, the Young Explorers Club met at the Grayson County Public Library to plan and prepare for their Saturday Field Trip. The plan was to find an American Chestnut Tree in the wild, a rarity. They made leaf presses and learned about the American Chestnut Tree.  

Using the learning box donated by the American Chestnut Foundation, the members learned about some of the history of the American Chestnut Tree and how the blight nearly eradicated this mighty tree in a very short period of time. They examined the leaves and burrs of the American Chestnut Tree and compared them to the Chinese Chestnut, Japanese Chestnut and the Chinquapin. They also read about the chestnut blight and viewed samples of bark damaged by this fungus. 

Saturday morning, the club headed out in search of this incredible tree. Samples of the leaf were studied during the car ride to the destination. Having an idea where to find one, they began their quest.  

Very shortly after setting out, one of our youngest members brought to our attention, the first possible American Chestnut leaf. Everyone circled to investigate and determine whether we had found a tree. The leaf was a great match but they were uncertain as the tree from which it came was very small, basically a sapling. They placed the leaf in their presses for further review later. With no other identifying features such as a burr, they moved on.

Traveling along the trail for over an hour, the group was becoming disheartened as the chances of finding the tree seemed slim. They were looking along the trail for signs of burrs and up in the canopy for correctly shaped leaves. Finally, a member pointed up to a tree and asked if that could be it? It was fairly tall so binoculars were used to get a better look at the leaves. It appeared to be a match! Next they traveled down to the tree and looked for other identifying features such as burrs. Burrs were found and it was decided that they had found an American Chestnut Tree. Everyone was very excited! They collected some leaves, placing them in their presses, and some burrs.  

With goals accomplished and spirits lifted, they headed back. Explorations continued as wildflowers, butterflies, large trees and mushrooms were added to the findings of the day. Once back at the trailhead, everyone sat together and enjoyed lunch while writing in their journals. 

Into the vehicle they went for the second half of the trip, to visit the American Chestnut Foundation's Glenn C. Price Research Farm in Meadowview, VA. This facility does extensive research on the American Chestnut Tree and Chestnut blight. Several strains of the fungus are grown in the lab for use in their research as well as the plantings that take place in the fields. The Chinese Chestnut Tree is blight resistant so researchers are backcrossing the American and Chinese Chestnut Trees trying to get a blight resistant American Chestnut Tree with the physical characteristics of the American Chestnut Tree. This is a long and tedious process of collecting and planting nuts, as well as inoculating, measuring, and culling trees. Extensive work is being done to bring back this amazing tree.

The American Chestnut Foundation was having a Chestnut Celebration! The group enjoyed foods made from chestnuts such as cookies, brownies and hummus, fresh made apple cider, crafts and music. Drawings were held for door prizes and raffle items and three of our members won prizes! A hayride through the Chestnut Orchards to view the trees used for their research ended the afternoon. 

Everyone had a great time searching out the extremely rare American Chestnut Tree and celebrating its successes. It is a remarkable tree that was once so plentiful in our forests. They left with the hopes that they will one day see it flourish again in our Blue Ridge Mountains.