The Story Behind

The American Chestnut was a cornerstone of the Eastern woodlands, its towering presence providing vital resources for wildlife and local communities. It's nuts fed animals and people alike, while its durable wood supported thriving industries. But in the early 20th century, a devastating blight caused by the invasive fungus Cryphonectria parasitica swept through, nearly wiping out the species by the 1950s. The loss left an indelible mark on the landscape, stripping forests of a keystone species and disrupting ecosystems and economies.

In 2023, under the visionary leadership of Foxhall Resort’s founder, Harrison Merrill Sr., hope took root. Foxhall partnered with the American Chestnut Foundation, guided by their advisor, Dot Padget, to become the first site in Georgia to plant blight-resistant American Chestnut Trees. Dot’s expertise shaped the initiative, as she helped select a grove near the river where the soil and sunlight offered the perfect cradle for new life. These saplings, bred through decades of careful crossbreeding, carry the native germplasm essential for restoring the species to its ancestral range.

This planting was more than an act of conservation; it was a commitment to reviving a lost legacy. The American Chestnut Foundation’s mission to develop blight-resistant trees dovetails with Foxhall’s dedication to environmental stewardship, a vision championed by Harrison Merrill Sr. Each tree planted represents a step toward healing the land, ensuring future generations can witness the return of this iconic species.