In Memoriam

When Austin Jones passed away on January 15, 2009, the Maine Chapter lost one of its most dedicated Chestnutters.  We will remember him with a most appreciative nod for his tireless energy devoted to so many chapter endeavors and steadfast belief in the foundation’s work in bringing back the American chestnut.

After retiring from the CIA in 1981, Austin moved to Union with his wife Norma where they bought 25 acres on Seven Tree Pond, built a house and developed many gardens and plantings over the years, including a stand of American chestnuts.  He was active in the community, donating time to such efforts as the Conservation Commission, the Water Advisory Committee for Aqua Maine and the Union Historical Society.  He was the area’s coordinator for Maine Audubon’s annual Loon Count and volunteered with the Appalachian Trail Club. 

Ever since his first association with the Maine Chapter in 1999, Austin was involved in all of the Chapter’s activities, at all times and in all seasons.  In the spring, he helped plant nuts and seedlings, both in pots and in the ground in our orchards. In the summer, he would be found high in a bucket truck’s bucket, working with the backcross pollen on a flowering mother tree. He served as the tree inventory survey coordinator for Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties and was on the Board of Directors from 1999 until 2005 and then again from 2006 until his death. Since its planting in 1999, he managed the maintenance of the American chestnut orchard at Merryspring Horticultural Nature Preserve in Camden.  In the spring of 2000, we tried a grafting project to increase the gene pool of native Maine trees – Austin was there. 

Every September he helped set up and take down the Chapter exhibit at the Common Ground Fair in Unity.  He frequently manned our exhibit at other venues, including one held outside on a very windy and rainy day when he had multiple challenges keeping the folding display from the elements.  He and Norma were at the top of the list of volunteers who constructed the Hoop House at Medomak Valley High School in 2000 where many chapter projects have been accomplished.  He wrote articles for the Urchin and offered his photos of events that he had participated in, such as the planting of American chestnuts on the green in Union where he lived.  In 2002, he traveled with Welles Thurber to U.Mass in Amherst to learn about the bacterium found in the soil that seems to combat the blight fungus and used it to treat several blight-infected trees on Megunticook golf course, monitoring and reporting on their condition. Also in 2002, he and Norma hosted the most marvelous feast for fellow volunteers and toured us all around his property that included a nice planting of American chestnuts as well as all sorts of plants both ornamental and edible.   The community website K2BH, now Village Soup, posted a piece about Austin’s involvement with the Maine Chapter in 2000 (still listed in the archive). 

At the Annual Meeting in 2004, then Chapter president Eric Evans presented him with a book entitled Mountain Lion by Chris Bolgiano for his unflagging volunteer help, and at last year’s meeting, Austin won the raffle of a chestnut roaster that he used to toast his homegrown chestnuts.  In short, there was no ‘short’ in Austin’s help.  He gave long and hard and man, are we ever going to miss him. 

Here are some recollections:

Harold Mosher writes:  “I only knew Austin for about three years, since I first met him in the spring of 2006 when he and some others arrived to help me clear a patch of woods at my place in Hope in preparation for planting a chestnut breeding orchard.  Being a generation older than me, he had lots of stories to tell that held my interest.  He and I worked well together as we talked, each working faster in the other's presence than we would have alone.  I guess neither of us wanted to be shown up, so we broke sweat dragging brush around at the highest practicable speed.  I had occasion to be around Austin many times since and the conversation, over wide-ranging topics, never flagged. We toured other orchards, manned the booth at the Common Ground Fair, and car-pooled to ME-TACF board meetings in Augusta.  My most memorable time with Austin was on a cloudless Indian summer day in October of 2007 when we checked out possible "mother trees" in Vassalboro and Alna.  I drove and he navigated; he guided me effortlessly on roads that were completely new to me.  He was familiar with the sites we visited that day and filled me in on all the details regarding the property owners, etc.  On one property we discovered several trees that we were not previously aware of and chatted at length with the person that lived there.  When I finally dropped him off at his house late in the afternoon, I remember thinking that I had spent few days better than that.”

This from Glen Rea: "I remember many good things about Austin. He was one of the most dependable persons I have ever met.  At the Common Ground Fair he and Norma would always volunteer to set up our chapter's display and take the first shift.  They would always be there on time and get us off to a good start. Also, when it came time to take the display down, I would take the last shift and Austin would be there at the closing - right on time- to help take the display down and store it at his home.  I remember his enthusiasm for the American chestnut breeding program.  Many people have an initial surge of enthusiasm and then the energy begins to wane as they realize how much work is involved and how long it will take to meet our goals.  Austin's enthusiasm stayed at the highest level until he died, and he continued to manage the Merryspring orchard until last December.  The Board of Directors of the Maine Chapter voted to name our first seed orchard the "Austin M. Jones" orchard, and it will be located at the Penobscot Experimental Forest in Bradley.  We are planning on the first planting to be in a year (in the spring of 2010) and we will dedicate the orchard at that time."

Dmitri Stancioff said:  “ I remember working with Austin several times, pollinating trees.  He always worked steadily, conversing only as he continued to work. He never wasted any time.   He was a guy who would always try to do everything he thought he’d be able to do.” 

Chuck Marecic writes: “While I only had the chance to know Austin for a short time, I have come to respect and appreciate his impact on this organization.  His fingerprints are on so many projects.  I will miss his energy, enthusiasm, and countless contributions to the American chestnut community.”

Amy Campbell recalls: “There were so many times I participated in various chapter work events, either as a volunteer or as photographer getting info for the Urchin, when Austin was part of the team.  My collection of images proves that!  The one time that I will always remember was late one fall, at the height of hunting season. Austin was going into the woods to measure the size of some newly found trees and I wanted to get some photos of them.

How safe was that, I really wanted to know. Austin assured me we would be fine, he had much orangewear to share. So, swaddled in Day-Glo orange we strode into the woods, literally off the beaten path.   Like the proverbial homing pigeon, Austin easily found the trees, despite their totally leafless condition, just trunks blending into the forest.  We spent at least a couple of hours while Austin made all his notes as to their size and condition.  At one point we did encounter two hunters whose companion was supposedly driving the deer in their direction.  They were mighty surprised to see us, looking for trees!  I never would have attempted to find the trees without Austin’s help in guiding me in and safely out of the woods, and certainly not during hunting season. It was quite the exciting time!”

A remembrance from Welles Thurber:  “On a cold rainy night, a group of shivering men stood outside the door to the Pine Tree State Arboretum waiting for the key to enter the premises. Among the directors that evening was Austin Jones who looked equally distraught and uncomfortable.  Sensing the growing urgency as the rain increased coupled with the frustration of those present, Austin let it be known that it looked like an easy lock to overcome. The trial balloon was floated but none of us were ready to occupy the Thomaston prison. Soon a consensus was reached and Austin applied his legendary skills as we entered the building to warm up and dry off.  Austin to the rescue again!

Goodbye, my friend.  It was my privilege to know you.”

Bob BaRoss writes, "Who could forget the gathering of TACF directors at Norma and Austin's home and the perfect vista of a Maine lake. Welles' lobsters were sensational! I walked their many acres marveling at the care and the diversity of the flora, especially the many butternut trees.  Austin's volunteer work included the local land trust and the Appalachian Trail. God rest a true environmentalist!"

Leslie C. Hyde, Extension Professor, Forester, University of Maine Cooperative Extension writes, “I cannot recall when Austin and I first met.  It must have been back in the 1980’s working on Land Trust matters.  Sometime in the early 1990’s I had a conversation with Austin about a program I was creating to get youth to hike and canoe the entire length of The St George River and was looking for camp sites along the route....” To read more, please click here

On the day before Austin died, Eric and Chuck visited him and told him that the first seed orchard would be named for him.  So, if he doesn’t find a garden project at the higher plane to which he has migrated, or even if he does, I know he will be watching over this planting that will provide Maine’s first totally blight-resistant trees. 

Text and Photos courtesy of Amy Campbell

Additional photo courtesy of Ann Rea