"...email is mostly not available."

You are correct. Ever since Houzz took over, this has been a serious downfall of this website. We used to easily be able to email any member that had chosen to get emails (and it worked most of the time).

"Is this considered to be in the top 10 tree forums on the web?"

I wouldn't put it like that. I would say that, in spite of the problems with this website, it remains the top gardening forum site (bar none), at least for us English speakers. I know of no better tree forum on the internet than this one. I've visited many, participated in a few, but always consider this the best (more users, friendlier peeps, probably better knowledge base, etc).

"Chestnut Buddies?"

I have seen people post on here that had pure American chestnuts from trees in blight-free areas. I don't remember who they were or know if they would be interested in sending seed.

if you use the search feature you will find many posts about American Chestnut such as this one:http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1646441/american-chestnut

Not sure where you are, but I am solidly in zone 4 and have a number of chestnuts growing on my property and they are doing fairly well down to around -25. I got mine from several locations in the upper Midwest including Badgersett, Oikos and Chief River. However, if you are on the west coast, they cannot ship there due to quarantines. The only 'northern' source I am aware of on the west coast is Burnt Ridge Nursery.

Apparently, there is no way to quote prior comments here. BBC codes would be easier.

I saw the AC link.

I am in SE Canada. Bringing trees across the border is regulated. Seeds less so. Better returns on seeds, too.

I find lots of places selling "pure" AC seedlings but not seed. So where are they getting the seed? The ones that have seed usually have other chestnuts so how are they sure they are pure?

Any idea if many Canadians are on here?

# of Users in general?

Sheffield's Seed Co. offers American Chestnut on page 9. They are expecting their crop soon. Also they provide phytosanitary document.

No price or source, yet.

Yeah I am constantly amazed by the crap they stop at the border. Not terrorists or anything, but oranges and trees and, you know, critical stuff.

You could try www.grimonut.com. I have HEARD of them, but for the same reasons you cite, I have never ordered from them. They have a decent rating from http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/877/.

Apparently, there is no way to quote prior comments here. BBC codes would be easier. (My bold, my italics, using buttons below.)

To quote prior comments you can just copy and paste. I have no idea what BBC codes are so they certainly wouldn't be 'easier' for me. Furthermore, if you copy text from elsewhere, when you paste here it will show up in the same type face as the rest of the message.

Sheffields is an excellent seed supplier. Check daily or even call them for an approximate date of arrival.

Dax

"Yeah I am constantly amazed by the crap they stop at the border. Not
terrorists or anything, but oranges and trees and, you know, critical
stuff."

Corkball, dude, you really gotta get out more! There are real, real, real good reasons that we attempt to keep certain foods and plant materials from coming into the country. I thought anyone that was on Gardenweb would be familiar with the problems involved with bringing pathogens into the country.

As for terrorists, we seem to be doing a dang good job, now, of keeping them out of this country and monitoring the ones that may be here (knock on wood).