Segment 2, March 23rd, 2024

Over one hundred years ago the American Chestnut tree had a considerable impact on the landscape of eastern North America.  This large, deciduous tree was a part of the diet of wildlife & people, it provided wood for buildings & furniture, & provided shade to the canopy of its habitat.  Then a blight occurred.

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is the largest advocate & fundraiser for helping bring back a blight resistant version of the now endangered tree. TACF active member Doug Gillis joined Carolina Outdoor host, Bill Bartee about the impact & recent mistake that occurred to the modern research involving the chestnut tree.
Show Highlights:

• The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) has 5,000 members
  
• The passion of the chestnut comes from its presence in American lore but also the hope to reintroduce it to the American forests
  
• It is currently endangered but not extinct.  The blight strikes when it reaches a certain age & height
  
• The hybrid tree Darling 58 handled by SUNY-ESF was labelled incorrectly causing a genetic mistake
  
• Dino Grandoni article in the Washington Post describing the mistake
  
• Find a place to volunteer & learn more about the American chestnut tree
  

Things You’ll Learn by Listening:

It is estimated that the blight decimated the American Chestnut tree by 3-4 billion.  There is an April Strategic Planning session in Virginia to consider the future moves of the TACF.

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