13 reactions | Dr. Andrew Newhouse has been working on projects that overlap the fields of conservation biology and molecular biology since 2003, and is currently with the American Chestnut Research & Restoration Project at SUNY-ESF, a collaboration with the American Chestnut Foundation. SUNY ESF | The American Chestnut Foundation | Facebook

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. From th

It's always a good day when I find an American chestnut tree. It's an even better day when I find an American chestnut tree of a decent size. Admittedly, I mostly feel this way because American chestnut isn't an incredibly common species where I live. A fungal disease known as chestnut blight kills most American chestnuts. The fungus cuts off the flow of water and nutrients within trees. Starved of nutrients, the trunks of American chestnuts die. But the roots remain alive. They give rise to spr

265K views · 2.5K reactions | One of the greatest ecological...

EP:373 | The Chestnut Story⁠ ⁠ In this installment, we explore the fascinating narrative of the Chestnut Blight, which devastated American Chestnuts throughout the early to mid-20th century. Joining us is Sara Fitzsimmons from Penn State University, who is well-versed in the history of the Chestnut and excels in sharing it.⁠ ⁠ Listen, Learn and Enjoy. ⁠ ⁠ #ChestnutBlight #AmericanChestnut #ForestConservation #TreeRestoration #WildlifeHabitat #PennStateResearch #ConservationHistory #GamekeeperPod

16K views · 305 reactions | Chestnut blight changed everything. Watch how this deadly fungus transformed a once-mighty tree. | The American Chestnut Foundation | Facebook