1,000 Chestnut Challenge

Help the functionally extinct American chestnut return to New York City.

New York Restoration Project is proud to partner with longtime American chestnut conservationist Bart Chezar and The American Chestnut Foundation to help distribute American chestnut saplings throughout the five boroughs.

Our goal is to eventually establish 1,000 thriving American chestnut trees throughout our local urban tree canopy. We’re calling this the 1,000 Chestnut Challenge, and we need your help!

We are seeking partner individuals and institutions to plant and monitor these seedlings as part of a long-term community science experiment. The different seeds have a range of resistance to the blight, and the monitoring data we collect will help us identify resistant trees to collect seeds from in the future. This data will also help inform larger restoration efforts lead by The American Chestnut Foundation.

To receive a tree(s), requirements include:

• A planting site in New York City capable of hosting a large tree. While you will receive a small sapling to plant, the goal is for it to grow into a large tree (ten feet or taller) over time.
  • Note: You must have permission to plant at your chosen site.
  • If you are uncertain whether a location is suitable for a tree from NYRP, please contact [email protected] and we will provide guidance on acceptable planting locations.
• A commitment to tree care during the first few years after planting, including any necessary weeding and occasional watering.
• An annual commitment to complete a brief survey on the health and size of your tree. We will provide specific instructions on what and how to measure your tree once per year.

If you meet these requirements, then we hope you’ll complete the form below:

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is reviving the American chestnut important?

The American chestnut was one of the most abundant and productive trees in North America before the emergence of the chestnut blight: a fungal disease that kills the trees’ inner bark, which can prevent the flow of nutrients and water to the leaves, flowers, and stems. Scientists estimate there were roughly four billion chestnut trees in the Eastern United States before the blight hit in the early twentieth century, making the tree a critical part of forest ecosystems. American chestnuts were also a prized as a source of food and timber. Learn more here.

What does “functionally extinct” mean?

Despite its demise as a lumber and nut crop species, the American chestnut is not extinct. The blight cannot kill the underground root system as the fungus is unable to compete with soil microorganisms. Stump sprouts grow vigorously in cutover or disturbed sites where there is plenty of sunlight, but inevitably succumb to the blight. This cycle of death and rebirth has kept the species alive, though it is considered functionally extinct. Learn more here.

Why is the 1,000 Chestnut Challenge meaningful?

Over a century after the American chestnut blight was first identified in The Bronx, the 1,000 Chestnut Challenge invites New Yorkers to help return this functionally extinct tree species to the five boroughs.

The blight resistance of New York City-grown chestnut seeds varies, and our monitoring data will guide future seed collection for resistant trees and inform The American Chestnut Foundation’s ongoing restoration efforts.

In general, expanding the urban tree canopy improves our city’s air quality, provides shade and cooling, mitigates stormwater, absorbs carbon, supports wildlife, and enhances the city’s beauty.

How do I get a chestnut tree?

Complete the form above first. If you are selected, you’ll receive further information via e-mail about tree pick-up and planting.

How much does it cost to get a tree?

Nothing! The trees are free.

Do you have tree care resources?

We will provide tree recipients with chestnut planting, maintenance, and monitoring guidance.

Where were the seeds you are distributing grown in New York City?

The seeds we’re propagating and distributing are a mix of hybrid seedlings from The American Chestnut Foundation, along with seeds gathered from Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery.

What else is New York Restoration Project doing to help return the American chestnut to New York City?

In partnership with NYC Parks and The American Chestnut Foundation, NYRP has planted more than 300 hybrid American chestnut trees in Highbridge Park. The endeavor is the largest urban experiment of its kind and part of a larger movement to help restore the American chestnut to its historical range. We hope to participate in the tree’s rebound by monitoring and documenting how the hybrids grow in the park over time. Learn more here.

The return of the American chestnut to New York City is a deeply collaborative effort, and we are grateful for the invaluable partnership of NYC Parks, The American Chestnut Foundation, Bart Chezar, Treebed, Green-Wood Cemetery, and the Prospect Park Alliance.