A chestnut orchard provides many benefits for a property owner. Not only does the orchard manager learn how to grow trees, but they get to participate in an exciting ecological restoration program.

As you may have read in David Bingham's article about his orchard in Salem, which he manages organically. To quote David, "Tending the chestnut trees is itself a pleasure. But (little can compare with) working there while surrounded by wildflowers, bluebirds, and butterflies, or discovering a cottontail and a nesting song-sparrow with young, ... For those who just love nature, or for those who look at biodiversity as a necessity for restoring the health of our environment, managing a chestnut orchard as a nursery for a wide variety of native grassland meadow and shrubland species can be immensely gratifying."

Perhaps you anticipate participating in our eventual reforestation plans and simply want to gain experience growing trees? Perhaps it is the interst in helping restore a keystone ecological species to our forests? These and many other reasons are what attracts people to enquiring about whether they might have the ability to participate by hosting or managing an orchard.

Where does one begin? There is a great deal to be learned. Fortunately, our members are happy to share what they know. Our meetings are a great place to learn about what it takes to grow trees and the complex genetics behind the pollinations and crosses.

There are many ways to get involved. Still interested in a chestnut backcross orchard? I'd suggest reading this short manual produced by Penn State which addresses some of the primary attributes of a successful site, and looks at alternatives for addressing some of the challenges faced by today's chestnut orchard managers.