Sponsor an American Chestnut Grove

The American chestnut (Castanea dentata) once ruled the eastern U.S. forests—nearly four billion strong. These giants were the tallest, fastest-growing trees around and a vital food source for Indigenous communities and wildlife alike.

Then came tragedy. In the late 1800s, the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica arrived and, within just 50 years, wiped the species from our forests. Today, true American chestnuts survive mostly as stumps that sprout and die back again.

The American Chestnut Foundation is working hard to change that. Through decades of scientific research and selective breeding, they’re developing blight-resistant and Phytophthora-resistant American chestnut trees with the goal of restoring this iconic species across its native range.

Our organization proudly supports this mission by providing volunteers for planting, monitoring, and long-term care — and you can help bring the chestnut back to Virginia’s landscape.

Your contribution goes directly toward purchasing locally grown, blight-resistant chestnut saplings, transporting them, and planting them in carefully selected restoration sites.

Please consider joining our efforts by adopting a chestnut grove!

For a $225 donation, you’ll adopt a grove of five young chestnut trees, and you’ll receive:

• An official adoption certificate

• A photo of your grove once it’s planted

• The satisfaction of helping revive a legendary American forest giant

Together, we can bring the American chestnut home again. 🌱