For centuries, native American chestnut trees dominated the Appalachian landscape, offering abundant food and shelter to wildlife and people alike. After a fungal blight reached our shores in the early 1900’s, the American chestnut was nearly eliminated from our forests.

At Tonoloway Farm, we are taking a small step towards restoring that balance by converting old livestock pastures into food forests of nut and fruit trees. While the American chestnut trees are still vulnerable to the blight, we are planting hundreds of hybrid chestnuts that are known to survive, while providing delicious nuts for both people and widlife with whom we share this land. In addition, we are experimenting with hazelnuts, heartnuts, pawpaws and persimmons. It will take decades to reach full production, but we are excited to start this restorative journey towards a productive and delicious food forest.