Maine's Capital Area

The Viles Arboretum has teamed up with Smart Eye Care and The American Chestnut Foundation to establish one of the first restoration sites in Maine for potentially blight resistant trees of this once common forest species. On August 6 at the Viles Arboretum, we will begin the creation of a one-acre American Chestnut Restoration Orchard with the ceremonial planting of five of the newly available variety that will pave the way for the eventual return of this native species to Maine forests. The Maine Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation uses conventional back-cross breeding to produce blight resistant American chestnuts well adapted to Maine. The establishment of this “orchard” is made possible through the financial support of Smart Eye Care.

We will gather at the Visitors Center of the Arboretum and hike to the “orchard” location some fifteen minutes away. Representatives from the American Chestnut Foundation will be on hand to talk about this amazing species and the importance of this newly established planting. There will also be representatives of Smart Eye Care and the Arboretum to explain more about the partnership that has made this possible. Bring your questions and plan to learn a great deal about this Maine native.

Smart Eye Care Joins in Support of Maine’s Rarest Tree – the American Chestnut