Tag Archives: tacf

The American Chestnut Tree with Doug Gillis

Uncategorized, ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:29 — 16.0MB)

Subscribe: RSS | More

Segment 2, March 23rd, 2024

Over one hundred years ago the American Chestnut tree had a considerable impact on the landscape of eastern North America.  This large, deciduous tree was a part of the diet of wildlife & people, it provided wood for buildings & furniture, & provided shade to the canopy of its habitat.  Then a blight occurred.

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is the largest advocate & fundraiser for helping bring back a blight resistant version of the now endangered tree. TACF active member Doug Gillis joined Carolina Outdoor host, Bill Bartee about the impact & recent mistake that occurred to the modern research involving the chestnut tree.
Continue reading The American Chestnut Tree with Doug Gillis →

American Chestnut Trees with Doug Gillis from TACF

Uncategorized, ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:05 — 16.6MB)

Subscribe: RSS | More


April 1st, 2023 Segment 3

Over 100 years ago, 25% of our natural tree canopy in the eastern United States was made of by the American Chestnut tree.

These were trees that were used by people for buildings & food & by wildlife for food & shade.  These trees grew to be large & were perfect for picnics & resting during travel.

Now they are gone due to a blight that infected them in the early 1900s.  Over the past century over 4 billion of them have been killed.

However, The American Chestnut Foundation continues to work towards breeding a version of the American Chestnut that can withstand the blight.  Doug Gillis, from TACF speaks with the Carolina Outdoors about the DARLING 58.  This tree that utilizes traditional breeding, bio-technology, & bio-control, to withstand the blight.

Gillis also let’s us know about Clear Day Thunder: Rescuing the American Chestnut. This documentary featuring Dolly Parton, Chuck Leavell, & President Jimmy Carter delves into this heritage tree & the fight to bring it back is being released on Earth Day, April 22, 2023.