West Virginia governor announces preservation plan for historic chestnut and chinquapin trees at former Clements nursery
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Oct. 10 issued a statement announcing that the state will preserve the historic American chestnut and chinquapin trees at the former Clements State Tree Nursery in Mason County, with a formal preservation plan now in place.
"I recognize the historical and ecological importance of chestnut and chinquapin trees at the former Clements State Tree Nursery and am committed to ensuring their preservation," Morrisey said.
Following an Oct. 5 assessment involving The American Chestnut Foundation, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, a plan is now in place to protect these trees and preserve their genetic lineage.
The former nursery was closed by the West Virginia Division of Forestry in May 2021 due to sustained financial losses and has remained undisturbed since. Since 2023 — first under Fidelis and now under Nscale — access to the property for seed and sapling harvesting has continued uninterrupted.
The American Chestnut Foundation, the Division of Natural Resources, and the Division of Forestry have already taken steps to preserve the trees' genetic lineage, establishing multiple two-acre stands on state land along with two additional plots using grafts and seedlings.
Under the preservation plan, the existing trees will be relocated to a more suitable environment within the property, potentially as part of an arboretum or integrated landscaping. That work is scheduled for late 2027, during the trees' dormant season, under professional arborist supervision. The trees will remain accessible for future seed and sapling harvesting. Nscale will cover the full cost of the preservation and relocation efforts, with no expense to West Virginia taxpayers.
The American chestnut was once a dominant tree of eastern North American forests before chestnut blight nearly wiped it out in the early 20th century. Organizations such as the American Chestnut Foundation are now breeding blight-resistant varieties and establishing genetic preservation stands to bring the iconic species back to the Appalachian woods.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: David J. Stang 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0（Wikimedia Commons）
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