New genetic approaches raise hopes for restoring the American chestnut to its former glory

By identifying the genes and molecules crucial to resistance in American chestnuts and other species, researchers hope to use genomic techniques to breed trees that can flourish in the face of blight.

By: Steve Strauss, Oregon State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 22, 2026

Words: 1,441

Last Updated: 4 weeks ago

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By Steve Strauss, Oregon State University

The American chestnut tree was a dominant and iconic species in many Appalachian forests until it was devastated by an introduced fungus from Asia called chestnut blight.

A majestic forest tree, an American chestnut was typically 50 to 100 feet (15 to 30 meters) in height, but could grow as tall as 150 feet (45 meters) over its several-hundred-year lifespan. Its leafy canopy provided shade and beauty from …

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