Wayne Bowman, Virginia Chapter Board Member and Research Forester for the Virginia Department of Forestry will host a visit to the American chestnut plantings at Lesesne State Forest.

Lesesne State Forest contains 421 acres.  Since 1969 hybrid American chestnuts have been bred and out planted on this site. In the early years, Al Dietz planted thousands of irradiated seedlings, and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station planted thousands of backcrosses at Lesesne. Breeding work is still being done by both the American Chestnut Cooperators’ Foundation, which works only with American chestnut, and the Virginia Department of Forestry, which now has 7/8 American chestnuts at this site. 

Hands on learning/work opportunity: By this date leaves should be fully-grown with pollen and some flowers showing on the chestnuts.  Bucket trucks will be on site for the day and we will look at the process of breeding the chestnut trees. Wayne says, “If flowers are ready to bag we can work all day.”

There will also be an opportunity for learning to identify and distinguish between types of chestnut.

Suggested items to wear or bring:  long pants—may be poison oak, bug spray, sun protection, drinks and snack—no stores close by. Be prepared for changing weather.

Location:  Lesesne State Forest is located in Nelson county just one mountain range south of Wintergreen ski resort.  

Directions: From route 29 take route 6 west to route 151 south.  Stay on route 151 until you come to Route 664 to the right (entrance to Wintergreen ski resort).  Take Route 664 for approximately 1 mile.  Cub Creek road will be on the left. Turn on Cub Creek road.  Go over the mountain and stay on this road until you see a sign on the right at the entrance of the forest.

To register:  Email vachestnut@verizon.net or call (540) 364-1922
Virginia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation
P.O. Box 158, Marshall, VA  20116 (Open M, W, F  9-1)