Revival of the American Chestnut ?

[surveyor]

Watched an interesting PBS TV interview about the work done to produce a decease resistant (mostly) American Chestnut which may become prolific again with a bit of help. here is an article dealing with the subject.

https://www.americanforests.org/magazine/article/revival-of-the-american-chestnut/

 

[JD3000]

Read about these projects over the years. I've seen a large isolated one up in northwest Ohio, impressive trees.

Here's to hoping.

 

[ATH]

There is a TED talk series on "de-extinction". One of those is about the American Chestnut. Basically same story you posted. I have my doubts that the genetically modified from Syracuse ever get FDA approval. Not enough money pushing them. There was a Supreme Court case blocking the FDA from regulating GMO pine trees...but I suspect this will be (and should be) different because Chestnut is a legitimate human food source. I'm not saying that should permanently block approval. It is chestnut + wheat for goodness sake. But they should be regulated differently.

I was surprised to see Gary Griffiths name there. Glad he is still at it. He was pretty old when I was there in the late 90s'

Hopefully once those 15/16th trees start spreading their pollen to pure American in the wild, we'll get closer and closer.

 

[96coal449]

There's one across the street from my sister-in-law's house. I've done a little work for the gentleman there before. Couple months ago I volunteered my services to chase out the dead wood. Just a few small branches here and there. What a beautiful specimen.

 

[colb]

Watched an interesting PBS TV interview about the work done to produce a decease resistant (mostly) American Chestnut which may become prolific again with a bit of help. here is an article dealing with the subject.

https://www.americanforests.org/magazine/article/revival-of-the-american-chestnut/

Great read - thanks!

 

[tex-moto]

i don't have any good pics but my son brought a dozen potted hybrid chestnuts from local non-profit (American Chestnut Land Trust) home to plant. Problem is that they often live a few years and eventually succumb to blight.... long process

 

[96coal449]

The specimen I was referencing in my earlier post was actually a successful human prodded germination. One of a few. The mother was from a farm. This was some 40yrs ago.

 

[tex-moto]

Here’s the trees but darn deer got to them. Survival thoughts?

 

[tex-moto]

Good news is they’ll fit perfectly in the tree tubes now

 

[surveyor]

If they survive maybe they will be tough enough to survive anything!

 

[ATH]

I bet they'll make it. Shoot more deer (especially doe)...and use tubes until you've gotten enough.