Chestnut Tree Project

The American Chestnut tree was once a dominant hardwood in eastern North American forests, highly valued for its rapid growth, strong rot-resistant wood, and nutritious nuts. However, in the early 20th century, a devastating fungal disease known as chestnut blight, accidentally introduced from Asia, spread rapidly across the continent. The American Chestnut lacked natural defenses against this disease, and within approximately 50 years, it killed an estimated 3 to 4 billion trees, effectively eliminating mature populations. Although the root systems often survive and send up new sprouts, these young shoots typically become infected before they can reach maturity, leaving the American Chestnut in a state of functional extinction.

Currently, significant efforts are underway to restore the species through breeding programs that aim to introduce blight resistance from Asian chestnut varieties and through advancements in genetic engineering. Here at Patton Middle School, we have established our own American Chestnut Tree restoration program in partnership with local environmental experts, David Deaville, Robert Struble, and Thomas Struble who are affiliated with the Tyler Arboretum, The American Chestnut Foundation, and the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance. The Patton Orchard has been in existence for four years, and each year we plant new chestnut seedlings to replace those that did not survive from the previous planting season.

The ultimate goal is to identify the specific Asian/American Chestnut genetic makeup that will prove resistant to the chestnut blight fungus, thereby contributing to the eventual return of the American Chestnut Tree to its former prominence in our forests.

First Planting

In 2020, Patton teacher Ryan Ragland secured a $10,000 grant to create an American Chestnut orchard on the Patton Middle School grounds. With lots of help from outside experts we were able to get this project off the ground this school year.

With our back playing fields being transformed into two athletic turf fields, the door opened for us to set aside a 100 square foot area to be excavated, leveled, and fenced in to begin growing blight-resistant American Chestnut trees, and be a part of a national effort to resurrect the American Chestnut tree, a valued aspect of American history.

On April 30, 2021 twenty Patton students accompanied by Dr. Dissinger and staff members set out to the field and planted 90 chestnut seeds! Thanks to all the students and staff members who participated! A special thanks to James Whitsel, Tom Struble, Bob Struble and John Wenderoth for their help with making this day happen!

Volunteers
Juliana Araujo, Ansh Kapoor, Jonathon Wang, Alex Hernandez Flores, Shipra Kapoor, Sean Caron, Mary Glavin, Ronan McLaughlin, Nan Stone, Brandon Wolfe, Norah Dickens, Megan Hawkins, Sabrina Smyth, Christopher Arriviello, Rayaan Enver, Cathy Li and Corynn Morrison.

Ryan Ragland (Grant Author), John Wenderoth (American Chestnut Tree Foundation - PA Chapter), Thomas Struble, Robert Struble (Local American Chestnut Tree Experts), James Whitesel (UCFSD Director of Buildings and Grounds), Kathy Bodenstab (Teacher Representative), John Walsh (Teacher/Communications), Laurie Palic (Teacher volunteer/Student Council Advisor), Stacey Remphrey, Jennifer Spisak, Josh Thomas (Teacher volunteers), Steve Dissinger (Principal, volunteer)

Update: Second Planting

We want to thank 6th-grade science teacher Mr. Ryan Ragland for coordinating the second round of American Chestnut Tree plantings.  Mr. Ragland and a group of middle and high school students planted approximately 40 American Chestnut Tree nuts in our Patton Middle School American Chestnut Tree Orchard behind the UCFSD Bus Garage on Doe Run Road adjacent to the Unionville High School Varsity Softball Field.Approximately 75% of the American Chestnut trees planted in 2021 have survived and continue to thrive.  The additional plantings on May 10, 2023 replaced the trees planted in 2021 that did not survive.  I want to thank former Unionville High School Math Teacher, Mr. Thomas Struble, and former Director of the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, and E. Kneale Docksteader Foundation Board Member, Mr. Robert Struble, for also assisting with the planting and helping to maintain the Patton Middle School American Chestnut Tree Orchard.  I also want to thank our Facilities Director, Mr. James Whitesel, for his ongoing support of the orchard and for providing topsoil for the most recent planting.  We aim to continue expanding the Patton Middle School American Chestnut Tree Orchard with the hope of restoring this historic tree to the dominance it once held in our east coast woodland areas.

Update: Third Planting:

On April 30, 2025 Dr. Dissinger and 8 Patton students took part in the annual seed planting. The students, under the guidance of Mr. Struble, the students did an excellent job and we hope to see success with this year‘s planting. Students will check in on the planting in September as some of the older trees in the back will have chestnuts that can be harvested.