American Chestnut Restoration

The American chestnut was once a dominant native forest tree species in the Eastern United States. An introduced fungal pathogen known as chestnut blight decimated the species in the 20th century, causing profound changes to the ecosystem as well as the culture of Appalachia. Researchers at SUNY-ESF in Syracuse, NY, have developed blight-resistant American chestnuts using genetic engineering and a gene from wheat. Pending government regulatory approval, these trees will be used in the effort to restore the American chestnut to its former glory. Join us in the discussion as we welcome Erik Carlson of The American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project SUNY, College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

[@JohnMartin-ze8cf]

The best American chestnut presentation that i have seen to date....keep up the good work....Thanks

[@williamdorsey3203]

I can hardly wait. I have restored two buildings that were built in the early 1900’s entirely constructed with American Chestnut. Timber’s, interior and exterior. Siding and paneling and trim. I would love to be able to plant blight resistant trees in the forest surrounding these buildings. This would be especially important as they are located adjacent to a world class arboretum, the Holden Arboretum.

[@boonecountyarboretum]

We are happy that you are so excited, we share in your excitement!

[@ZDanimations]

Wonderful presentation and an extremely admirable cause that will make history

[@robvann]

Thank you for sharing this. Very well thought through presentation, and answers to many questions.

[@boonecountyarboretum]

You are welcome, we are glad you enjoyed it!

[@jesseandersen4055]

There have been American chestnuts found with meaningful resistance. Not many but at least half a dozen, which to me would suggest that there might be dozens out there hiding in the woods. I know a few of them are still alive and provide heritable resistance. Or perhaps we should call it tolerance. The ozark chinquapin foundation was able to cross surviving trees with some level of blight tolerance and with just a few generations and about 10 years they are producing trees with resistance comparable to Asian chestnuts. I feel like this could likely be done with American chestnuts, it might just take a few more generations because we’re much further out from the initial blight epidemic, the blight didn’t reach the ozark until the 50s.

[@jdy1054]

My mom used to talk about how grandpa would go out into the woods and collect roots and shoots, mushrooms, black walnuts to bring back for grandma to prepare for their family of seven. They would each be given a bushel basket to collect and fill with chestnuts that grandma would either roast or dry and grind up into flour. That would have been during the Great Depression in the late 20s or early 30s.

[@Vireo]

I believe the term he was looking for at 1:03:53 is "lingering ash"?

[@boonecountyarboretum]

Yes, there are quite a few around that have not died yet, perhaps due to some level of natural resistance. Only time will tell but they are being studied for potential future work with ash.

[@Ismschism]

If i had one wish, it would be to bring back american chestnuts to the appalachians.