Did you know where chestnut blight originated? Well if not, now you do! #americanchestnut #chestnutblight #saveourforests #restoration #conservation #nature #environment #trees #treefacts #climatecontrol #rootedinrestoration #fungus #blight | The American Chestnut Foundation

The American Chestnut Foundation is committed to bringing this iconic species back through a state-of-the-art breeding program: recurrent genomic selection (RGS). While continuing to cross American chestnuts with blight-resistant Asian varieties, TACF will now utilize genomic testing to select progeny with increased blight resistance while preserving 70% – 100% of the tree’s American heritage. This method will allow TACF to more quickly and accurately predict which seedlings are most likely to s

It can be tricky to tell the difference between various chestnut varieties. In this video, TACF staff membe Angus shows the differences between Chinese chestnut leaves and stems and American chestnut leaves and stems. | The American Chestnut Foundation

One of the greatest ecological disasters the US has ever seen. Chestnut blight wiped out the American chestnut tree in less than 50 years.⁠ A tree that once made up nearly 25% of the eastern forests was reduced to a functionally extinct species.⁠ ⁠ The Asian fungus Cryphonectria parasitica was accidentally introduced into the United States in the late 1800s. While a few diseased chestnuts were noted in the 1880s and 90s, it wasn't until 1904 that the pathogen was identified in New York City. Fro

Chestnut blight changed everything. Watch how this deadly fungus transformed a once-mighty tree. | The American Chestnut Foundation

This magnificent American Chestnut is a delight to observe. I'm disturbed by the presence of blight on the bark. #treesofinstagram #trees #nuts #disease #leaves #rare | Cherie Ann Rowe