New genetically engineered American chestnut will help restore the decimated, iconic tree

[FLPanhandle]

https://theconversation.com/new-genetically-engineered-american-chestnut-will-help-restore-the-decimated-iconic-tree-52191


Historic picture of a large American chestnut tree (Ten Eyck Dewitt barns, Paul Farm, NY). Provided by Gail Whistance, CC BY-ND

American chestnut trees were once among the most majestic hardwood trees in the eastern deciduous forests, many reaching 80 to 120 feet in height and eight feet or more in diameter.


The “then boundless chestnut woods” Thoreau wrote about in Walden once grew throughout the Appalachian mountains. They provided habitat and a mast crop for wildlife, a nutritious nut crop for humans and a source of valuable timber. Because of their rapid growth rate and rot-resistant wood, they also have significant potential for carbon sequestration, important in these days of climate change.

The species has a sad story to tell. Of the estimated four billion American chestnut trees that once grew from Maine to Georgia, only a remnant survive today.

The species was nearly wiped out by chestnut blight, a devastating disease caused by the exotic fungal pathogen Cryphonectria parasitica. This fungus was accidentally introduced into the United States over a century ago as people began to import Asian species of chestnut. It reduced the American chestnut from the dominant canopy species in the eastern forests to little more than a rare shrub

After battling the blight for more than a century, researchers are using the modern tools of breeding, bio-control methods that rely on a virus that inhibits the growth of the infecting fungus, and direct genetic modification to return the American chestnut to its keystone position in our forests.

To restore this beloved tree, we will need every tool available. It’s taken 26 years of research involving a team of more than 100 university scientists and students here at the not-for-profit American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project, but we’ve finally developed a nonpatented, blight-resistant American chestnut tree.

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This is great news. It's amazing that these once great trees covered the eastern forests. Yes, these will be genetically engineered trees so I expect a few people to freak out.

[Spider Jerusalem]

1. Hopefully they'll be able to do something similar for elms (n/t)

[Brickbat]

2. They have.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/environment/agroforestry/elm-trees.html

[HuckleB]

3. More on the work regarding the elm.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120329101800.htm

[KamaAina]

4. New Haven, the "Elm City", replanted with Chinese elms

that are resistant to Dutch elm disease.

[greatlaurel]

5. I have planted five American Chestnut trees so far. Three have survived.

The deer go crazy eating the leaves, so it has been hard to get them established. I have been buying my seedlings from the local soil and water conservation district when they do their annual tree sale.

The loss of chestnuts from the eastern forests had an incredible impact on the people of the Appalachian region and on the wildlife and plant diversity, as well as a devastating on the soil quality of the forests. Chestnut leaves were much higher in a lot of important nutrients. There were 3.5 billion chestnut trees before the blight hit.

Thanks for the post!

[randome]

6. Then I want every tree to grow a sign that says 'This structure is a GMO'.

So we know whether or not to have picnics in their shade. Or to place tire swings on their limbs.

Kidding.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Everything is a satellite to some other thing.[/center][/font][hr]

[HuckleB]

7. Oh, but "Non-GMO Parks" will become a "movement."

All kidding aside, it wouldn't be shocking to see, considering the repetitive anti-GMO rants attacking things like vaccines and rice that produces almost no greenhouse gas.

[RobinA]

8. Don't Forget

about eating these "Frankenchestnuts."

[tabasco]

9. Please let it be true.

I know they've been working on this. Little chestnut trees will start growing around here and get to be about 30 feet tall before they die. Sprouts continue to grow out of the stumps. A beautiful tree and good for wildlife.

[SidDithers]

10. DU rec...nt

Sid

[Drahthaardogs]

11. I want half a dozen.

Growing up the son and grandson of piemontese, chestnut s were a big deal.

[FLPanhandle]

12. Me too.

I wonder when they will be available.

[closeupready]

13. I believe the disappearance of chestnut trees contributed to passenger pigeon's decline

and eventual extinction. Would be nice if they could clone the passenger pigeon back into existence, but I suppose that's impossible.

[FLPanhandle]

14. Are there DNA samples from a passenger pigeon

Maybe a stuffed bird somewhere?

I would like to see the Carolina Parakeet raised from extinction.

[closeupready]

15. Looking at wikipedia, only 1,500 skins and a mere 16 skeletons remain.

Kind of astounding, considering it numbered in the billions, once. And the DNA studied from that extracted from these specimens has understandably degraded, but not irreparably. So perhaps there's hope.

Yes, the Carolina Parakeet is another species I read about as a child, very sad story. ALL extinctions are sad in their own way - even ones not caused by humans (i.e., dinosaurs). I suppose if smallpox was rendered extinct, nobody would cry.

[hunter]

17. Band tailed pigeons are still about...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band-tailed_pigeon

They had some rough times recently here in California, between the drought (hopefully over with) and an epidemic.

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article12896702.html

[LiberalEsto]

16. We planted a pair of chestnut hybrids some years ago

They are a hybrid of the American and Chinese chestnut trees.

[Odin2005]

18. Que ignorant outrage from the anti-GMO idiots.

[HuckleB]

22. It looks like their strategy is to ignore all information that opposes their ideology.

It's interesting watch.

[LuvNewcastle]

19. That is wonderful news.

I'll definitely volunteer to plant some.

[madokie]

20. Right now I'm listening to

a video with Bernie but I'll be back to mention what I know about a tree in this family of trees. this is so I can find this post later

[Orrex]

21. I demand that they label this tree and all of its kind

People have a right to know what they're putting into our trees.