Finding Dozens Of American Chestnut Trees

[@HundedeskriegesWV]

Being a forester and having spent a lifetime in the forest, I have found them as big as 18" in diameter at 4.5 ft. Some are incredibly healthy with no signs of blight one year and totally dead the next when I revisit them. Part of the problem is that Cryphonectria parasitica also hosts in other species such as oaks, and as such is always present. As long as we keep getting a few trees that survive till sexual maturity, there's always hope that one day many many years from now that the species will evolve to survive with the pathogen. In the short term though, the American Chestnut Foundation has done a huge amount of work on backcrossing Chestnut for resistance. If you are interested in being part of it, I encourage you to join your state chapter!

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

It is impossible anything has evolved. Many things have adapted.

[@MikeOrazzi]

@@senatorjosephmccarthy2720 We still have Ash trees that are alive and our neighbor's have all died. His trees are on the Southeast side of a hill and we are on the Northwest side of it.

[@SuperDaveP270]

@@senatorjosephmccarthy2720 - don't confuse impossible with improbable. ALSO, Adaptation is a method of evolution, provided the traits that allowed the adaptation are hereditary.

[@HundedeskriegesWV]

@senatorjosephmccarthy2720 adaptation is a phenotypic change whereas evolution is a genotypic change. I could always be wrong but I am reasonably sure that a clonal plant such as a stump sprout is never going to adapt to survive the blight. It is more likely it going to take genetic change achieved through sexual reproduction to develop cellular resistance to the oxalic acid produced by the fungus.

[@ericastier1646]

@@senatorjosephmccarthy2720 evolution and adaptation same thing : random mutations then selectively filtered by the environment.

[@johnbauby6612]

I have a dozen growing in my yard. I planted them as chestnut seeds I obtained from the American Chestnut Foundation. Our hope is to one day have a resistant American Chestnut back again

[@2Hearts3]

How long does it take for them to produce nuts?

[@riggzi]

Awesome ❤

[@Tracy-wr7mj]

are they the hybrid chestnut?

[@MikeOrazzi]

Nice.

[@wayneloht]

Could u tell me how old your trees are? I had 13 at one time. As time passed all got blight and died. All seed’s from ACS

[@jesseandersen4055]

What amazes me about american chestnut is just how valuable it was in many different ways. 100+ ft tall 10+ feet wide with rot resistant wood that splits almost by itself into planks makes it one of the best timber trees. They take much less time to reach sexual maturity than many other nut producing trees, more calories per nut, and more nuts per tree due to the just massive size. The tannin rich bark was used to tan leather, the leaves used to treat coughs, excellent shade trees, the list seems nearly endless. What i wouldnt give to see a 13 foot wide 120 foot tall american chestnut.

[@nackyeads2508]

@@jesseandersen4055 Amen! Did you ever see the museum in upstate New York which has old trunks of massive Chestnut trees standing in a building?

[@patrickshaw8595]

Me too, Buddy - me too...

[@marshalllaw4116]

The government didn't like poor people having the benefits provided by the American chestnut trees, so they brought in the blight to wipe them out.

[@joeetlinger3423]

Don't forget the amazing stump homes the early Appalachians lived in as well. The patriarch of the eastern forest, the chestnut housed them, fed them, the animals they hunted, and provided for them economically in terms of both mast and lumber. To those early settlers who arrived with little more than the clothes on their back and a sharp axe in their hands, the chestnut was like a grandfather helping them get their start in life. The entire ecology of the eastern forest changed forever with their genocide. It's the worst ecological disaster in man's history on this planet. With all the absurd, misguided hysteria today over carbon, it's ironic and sad the tree that coined "stump speech" is forgotten by today's politicians who only pretend to care about our actual environment.

[@jesseandersen4055]

@joeetlinger3423 couldn't have said it better myself! I also remember hearing that they were the main source of food for the confederate army towards the end of the Civil War. I wish people were doing more to preserve the other native chestnut species, the chinquipins, as they have a better natural resistence, however they're still considered functionally extinct and I'm sure they will be numerically extinct in the next few centuries. I didn't know about stump homes! That's amazing. I do believe there is some hope for an american x chinese chestnut hybrid with majority american ancestry, however restoration is a slow process and I believe I've heard that in their orchards there has been little to no wild procreation between the hybrid American chestnuts. They produce chestnuts but the chestnuts that fall to the ground don't seem to be germinating naturally.

[@timothyraycob3446]

I grew up in an old farmhouse in NE CT that was built in 1812. The barns were built with American Chestnut beams about 18 in x 18 in. When my parents renovated the farmhouse in 1972, they several of the barns torn down (which were in disrepair and dilapidated) and sent the beams to a wood mill to be sliced into 1” thick floor planking for our entire home (3 stories and 5000sf). We sanded and stained it all by hand. That was 52 years ago and the chestnut planking looks like it was laid yesterday.

[@user-zh7zi1yx3g]

That is just absolutely wonderful. What a blessing.

[@denisk751]

I love it. Glad you did what you did.

[@FlowersfromNan]

I am 66 year old woman. When I was a young girl, my parents sent me to parochial school in the town of Danbury Connecticut, where we resided as a family. I have a fond memory of a huge and sprawling chestnut tree that would partially shade the paved schoolyard. The Students played in that schoolyard at recess. We delighted in this fascinating tree because in the autumn,the prickly chestnut pods encasing The smooth, warm brown chestnuts would dangle from this magnificent ,gigantic tree. We were fascinated by them and would collect them for show and tell or to later show off on the school bus ride home. I recall my younger brothers collecting at least 10 to 15 chestnuts. I remember my brothers showing them off to my aunt Marie who had come to spend a few days with us as my mother was in the hospital having our baby sister. My aunt showed my siblings how to roast them in the oven. How blessed we were being raised in Danbury, Connecticut back in the 1960s and early 70s . We were exposed to the beauty of nature all around us. Naturally, either by the blight or eventual renovation and construction, that magnificent chestnut tree with its expensive canopy is long gone. Yet, its beauty remains forever in this grandmother‘s memory.

[@deeko175]

What a beautiful memory! You could be a writer!

[@quemahoning]

I know a gentleman who lived near Stoystown, Pennsylvania. He tagged and cataloged living American Chestnut trees. A few were nut-bearing. He collected the nuts and grew new starts. They were planted together with the hope of creating more resistant cross breeds.

[@mikeb1039]

There's already resistant breeds.

[@cragslist8987]

@@mikeb1039 The more the better

[@jeabo0adhd]

I have a relative who did this. A drought killed all the trees sadly.

[@stevebengel1346]

The last one I saw was as a child in 1973 in South Eastern PA growing in my best friends front yard; it was enormous and produced an enormous crop of nuts every year, unfortunately when I went back to visit several years later, the tree was gone.

[@dougzirkle5951]

On my mushroom forays here in the mountains of southwestern Virginia, I have seen quite a few American chestnut in the same stages of growth that you found…old stumps of trees with new growth, may 10’ to 15’ in height. The one you found was the biggest I’ve seen in my 74 years. Thanks for sharing, Adam!!

[@stuffbenlikes]

What happens? Does the blight hit them when they get to 10-15 feet and drop it back to stumps?

[@edchesnut7309]

Oh🎉🎉>🎉😂🎉oh hook😮kk😢i

[@JJLom777]

@@stuffbenlikes The blight doesn't effect the roots. That's why the same trees have been pushing new shoots up for the last hundred years. One can typically see some sign of blight coming from under the tree's bark when they're even smaller. But, they don't usually last past the ten to fifteen foot height. Thus, they never set any new seed to procreate a new generation. Sometimes, one might get lucky. But, they make so few chestnuts as compared to what their niche demands, rodents get them all before they get a chance to grow. To be blunt: We put them in this mess. And, it really is humanity's responsibility to get them out of it.

[@dennishayes1505]

You in Roanoke.? Where are you seeing them?

[@benhoskins4719]

All over Cumberland mountain. ❤ I'm on the KY side of the gap.

[@divindoc]

I planted an American Chestnut...Castanea Americanus (sp) back in 1987 which I received UPS from a Forest Company in Pennsylvania...when I moved from my great aunts house...which I restored... to the farmhouse formerly belonging to my great grand parents along the CT Shoreline about 1-1/2 miles inland, I dug it up...put all eight feet of it on top of my car and drove it to my new home...planted it in a prepared six-foot diameter hole...and it is 40 feet plus now...disease free...so far so good..I get spiky fruit and large nuts every year for about ten years.. "chestnuts roasting on an open fire chestnuts"...it has a beautiful shape to it as it is in my yard away from any vegetative competition...I understand those who love authentic American chestnut trees...a little tlc allowed me to have a neat specimen in my yard....I am now 67.

[@richardbernard6845]

It was so encouraging to see living Chestnut trees, making a comeback of sorts. Thank you Adam for brightening our morning:-)

[@diegojines-us9pc]

for decades such trees have been found, and studied. sorry to say at about 15 years old all those found have died.

[@cryptonein]

You've brought tears to my eyes. I have been so sad over the years with losing these majestic giants in Appalachia. It is my hope and prayer that they begin to thrive again. I have resisted the temptation of growing hybrids that are available and want only the pure trees if possible. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@squirrelgunsmith1131]

One late summer day about 60 years ago my father took me fishing at a creek in Jefferson County GA. The water was orange colored from "red" clay and we did catch a mess of speckled catfish. That day was the first chestnut tree I had ever seen. It was growing on the bank of the low bluff over the creek. My Daddy told me it was a chestnut and that you didn't see them much anymore. This tree was over 2 feet in diameter and part of the roots had been washed out by cresting water at some point a long time before we were there. The canopy was huge and rose above all the other trees. There were nuts on the ground, so we picked up some. Daddy said not to eat any and when we got home, he put them in Big Mama's (my grandmother) oven to "roast". Something about we shouldn't eat them raw?? Anyway, they were good next to the fried catfish and sliced tomatoes, grits and hushpuppies.

[@fhuber7507]

OK to eat raw. Taste better roasted. Like peanuts can be eaten raw, but try it once and you'll eat only roasted forevermore.

[@deanevangelista6359]

@@fhuber7507 Unlike acorns, chestnuts don't contain toxic amounts of tannin. I've had them raw, and they don't have the smooth sweetness of the roasted nuts.

[@rjo49]

Eating ANY raw starch in large quantities can cause gastric problems, aside from naturally-occurring tannins or other compounds that are more or less toxic. Our digestive apparatus produce amylase to start the process, but it's possible to eat more starch than out amylase production can keep up with. Then, there are many different starches (ask any serious cook!) with very different reactions to digestive processes or cooking. Some are fast-digesting, relatively simple molecules; some are slower digesting, with more complex or physically harder natural structure; and then there are "resistant" starches, usually with highly branched structures that make it all the way to the large intestine virtually intact. Each has a different effect on our bodies: fast starches are quickly turned into sugar, and can provide a quick energy boost. At the other end of the spectrum, resistant starches feed our microbiota, and have been linked to a healthy condition of the intestines. The downside is that any starch that isn't quickly converted to simple sugars can cause excess gas production, and in extreme cases can even cause very dangerous bowel blockages. Do some research...

[@itsnotokgolf]

you can absolutely eat them raw, just make sure there's no lil worm! lol

[@JJLom777]

@@itsnotokgolf Chestnut Weevils are awful.

[@EagleJim62]

It's nice to see so many people interested in the saga of American chestnut trees. I'm not the only one!

[@sec1720]

I want to find some healthy seeds and plant them on my property for my kids to enjoy

[@JJLom777]

Contact the right folk to get those trees cloned! If they're resisting the blight, they're very important. Thanks for all you do, JJ

[@uliwehner]

i doubt they are resistant, the very fact that they are shoots off of old root systems, and the biggest ones you see are like what he showed, indicates that they got knocked out by the blight before, and over and over. They are genetically the same as the ones knocked down before. What you want to find is a healty 200-year-old chestnut tree in a forest of little ones that have been killed. now THAT one you want to clone.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

Sometimes it’s not resistance, it’s just that people have planted them in areas where there are none left so there’s no blight either.

[@elliskinney5731]

Northern Kentucky, I have a farm with about 30 acres of woods. I have cleared a couple of areas where large trees have died and planted Chestnuts from a nursery in Alabama. All have survived so far, second season and about three ft. tall. I have cages around all of them and sprinkle with seven dust and water once/week when necessary. Thanks for the video. Ellis

[@bertblue9683]

Sevin is extremely toxic to bees

[@thomasballentine9496]

About 4 to 5 years ago I came across a healthy 4 to 5 inch DBH American Chestnut on the Cove Mountain Trail in the Smoky Mountains National Park. It was about half way down from the Laurel Falls Trail junction to the Sugarlands Visitor Center. It was the first tree sized American Chestnut that I had ever observed in the Smokies or North Georgia mountains. That really brightened my day.

[@deecarlock5781]

There are many still coming up, some producing nuts, in Western North Carolina. Most will get the blight and die back. The more American Chestnuts planted from living trees, the better chance some will have a resistance. Every seed has different genetics.

[@MegaBait1616]

@@deecarlock5781 , have them in Lenior, NC ..

[@tarnocdoino3857]

Just got home to western NY from a camping trip to the smokies for the first time. It was amazing. Hope to get these guys restored.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

It's true. They're out there. Find them and grow their seedlings.

[@mikeh2520]

I remember in the '60's, in Manhattan, there were lots of street carts selling steamed chestnuts. My father would always get a bag and we would share them. By the time the '70's came, all of those carts were gone. I went to Tuscany in Italy about 15 years ago and I found the same little carts selling hot chestnuts. It was a real treat to get a bag and step back in time with the experience.

[@JJLom777]

@@mikeh2520 Those were probably European Chestnuts. The American ones only get about as big as your thumbnail.

[@InconspicuousOwl]

Well, im glad to inform you that the nuts carts are back & have been since at least the early 2000s!

[@reidpinchback8850]

You might find them for sale in the few weeks before Christmas. At least in New England you sometimes see them. The nuts are imported from Italy.

[@karlsteingall6832]

Great video Adam, you are a wealth of knowledge and insight! Truly a master of your craft!

[@timothynelson6918]

I bought a property in west Virginia. I have several on my land. My neighbor actually cut down a few and when I was cutting the tree up into logs I noticed the leaves at the top. I told him they were very rare and to avoid cutting them in the future. I am planning on cloning a few next year to help plant more around my land.

[@francisbusa1074]

That's wonderful! Thank you, sir! 👍

[@snowmiaow]

Thank you for doing that.

[@sethwaggoner6497]

As a native Pennsylvanian, it thrilled me to see you finding living, healthy chestnut trees in the keystone state! It is still heart-wrenching to think of the chestnut blight that was sprung by one man's greed. Anyway, this was encouraging!

[@ironmaiden3751]

I don't think it was one man. 'People' brought Chinese chestnut trees over as ornamentals not thinking (or realizing) that North American chestnuts would be killed by a blight the trees in China had grown to be accustomed to over millennia...its as simple as that but no less devastating.

[@davewallace8219]

Well said!​@@ironmaiden3751

[@oso9809]

Globalism destroys the environment. World wide we really need strict control of what get moved about. I hate having controls but people are stupid and destructive even if it is unintentional.

[@binderfan436]

The "greed" part kicks in when you talk about our ash trees. Shipping crates and pallets from southeast Asia brought the emerald ash borer. And we should have never allowed those cheap imports in the first place. There's the greed.

[@1590qtop]

Maybe you should contact the ACCF (The American Chestnut Cooperators Foundation). They are looking for wild, 100% American Chestnut trees to develop disease resistant trees without using the backcrossing method used by the ACF (The American Chestnut Foundation).

[@ericwanderweg8525]

We still have sizable sporadic groves of them here in Connecticut. I’ve been harvesting burs and growing them for a few years now.

[@seanpower4515]

Nice

[@braxtonvestal777]

Alot of similar looking trees.

[@terrymorton7444]

I will attest to that. There's a lot of small chestnut trees in Connecticut. They're not hard to find at all. They're just about everywhere. I ought to get better at distinguishing the bark. Maybe I'll actually find some larger specimens.

[@markcascio9692]

Hi, I also live in CT and have chestnut trees in my yard but unfortunately they are Chinese Chestnut probably planted by the previous owner of my property. Would you have a couple extra seedlings I could plant on my property to help revitalize the American Chestnut? Thanks

[@bboobb1122334455]

Saw some at Gettysburg national military park.

[@kenjohnson5498]

I was surprised to find Chestnut and American Elm on our property in mid Il. I also had the pleasure of seeing the largest grove of Paw Paws of over 1500 trees in one area that iv'e ever seen. Again in mid Il.

[@m8s4lif]

Thank you, Adam. I know that scientists are trying to come up with blite resistant American Chestnut trees, but wouldn't it be fantastic if nature solved the problem by itself. Thank you again for helping me to, well let's call it, learn about the land.

[@CampingforCool41]

It’s possible there were a small number of natural American chestnuts that were resistant from the beginning.

[@artosbear]

If they can reproduce it would but any that might've been originally could've also gotten cut down. If the root systems survive but can't reproduce its very unlikely. Tree immune systems don't learn like ours do they adapt over generations not within a specimen so much

[@deanevangelista6359]

There are some blight resistant American varieties now. One research group received substantial seed money from Monsanto, who gave them the funds and fortunately kept out of the research.

[@jamesfarrow2130]

there are resistant hybrids available which are a cross between chinese and American chestnut, but I heard they are most likely all Chinese. Are available at several tree farms👍

[@paulnovak833]

Are we not a part of nature?

[@sapelesteve]

Really nice seeing those Chestnut trees Adam. Hope that they continue to thrive and remain part of the forest landscape. 👍👍🌲🌲

[@Forevertrue]

I'm 75. my grand father born in 1906 said his grandfather told him on their farm in Eastern Kentucky one in 4 trees were Chestnuts. My grand father said he has never seen one that he knew of. Always good Adam thanks!!

[@marklevi2311]

Thank you so much for your videos! By the way, I planted several of these a while back; one survived and is giving chestnuts second year.

[@sharminproctor8826]

Love you have been talking on trees!! I miss when you always talked about weeds and things found in the forest ..I'm super excited about the trees and learning more about them!

[@frankshifreen]

It is so great and moving to see this video- I even cried - the news of the extinction was very sad and thank God untrue

[@johnbliese2607]

Great! You, Chestnuts and chesnut trees bring real Joy to my heart. Since I was little, seeing a chestnut tree and collecting their beautiful nuts has been a big part of my creator bring me my joy. The chestnut trees here in central WI have larger size trunks and spread out more but they are not covered by a tree canopy like you showed. You are such a gift!

[@KeefsCattys]

I hope these larger specimen trees may be more resistant to the fungus . We need these trees to come back . Great video and best wishes from Scotland . We have our own disease problems with multiple species here too . Best wishes

[@KeefsCattys]

Elm sp. here in the UK were decimated by Dutch elm disease , but the suckering and seed proliferation have kept them alive despite never growing to the massive size they once did . Love your channel

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

II Chronicles 7: 14, If my people which are called by my name, (so if any people, Romans 2: 11) shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear in Heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.

[@artosbear]

Size doesn't do it. Also no guarantee they aren't crosses. Lab testing always needed for every one with a seemingly American chestnut style leaf

[@kne2323]

I just think it’s exciting to see folks who are still excited about trees. I grew up in the woods and it was a big deal to be able to identify the majority of them. You’ve got me all fired up about watching more videos to learn more and pass it on to others.

[@savage22bolt32]

This is such good news to hear. I'd love to see them come back. In 1962, we had a nice elm tree in our property. It died in 1963 and fell a few years later.

[@Lmfleaflicker]

My sister inlaw just gave me a couple bags of American chestnuts from one of her trees she has 3 im going to try to spout and plant in my yard

[@Lennymogen]

Any chance you could send a few chestnuts ?

[@JJLom777]

​@@LennymogenYes, please. I'll buy them, even.

[@artosbear]

You'd better go to American Chestnut Foundation and look up how to get a sample lab tested. Don't trust the leaves. You usually need like a leaf and twig intact, not sent in plastic, not broken or crust or folded. Get it lab tested

[@michellelaclair]

Tested for ? What?​@@artosbear

[@FlowersfromNan]

❤ I wish you good luck with them.

[@jean-francoislaroche7427]

Nice to see it ! In Québec, many of our trees are faced with illness, fungus or pest problems : elms (since more than a century), ashes (since a few years, but severely, by ash borers) beeches, butternuts, ashes. Trying to introduce black walnut and bur oak into my countryside.

[@FisherKot]

I am obsessed with this tree. I think about it every single day. I've only found a few here in eastern MA

[@rubytuby6369]

There were many in forest Park Springfield mass. Most of them coming up from the roots of old chestnuts, but there were some larger trees bearing lots of burrs however, the nuts were not forming well.

[@74stevedc]

In Westborough, Ma wildlife has 100's growing from the American Chestnut Foundation.

[@michellelaclair]

Wow! Can you plant one there? They like acidic soil.

[@reidpinchback8850]

​@@74stevedchave you seen the trees or just heard about the attempt? There was a big mess in the attempt at a transgenic tree uncovered just last year (2023). People had spent years trying to plant and monitor those, only to discover that the research lab in NY creating the Darling line either badly screwed up (at a minimum), or intentionally covered up their lack of verifiable progress to the point that TACF has cut off their support. If you are seeing actual surviving trees, those may be the hybrids crossed with the Asian species, which have been proving only moderate resistance... which is progress, but not a done deal yet.

[@jeffwolfe191]

It's so nice to have you around, thank you for all the information!

[@HoRRiiBLe1313]

I begged my neighbor to not cut his down. But it was attracting bears and their babies. So I grabbed as many nuts as I could and planted them all over my woods

[@Potato-mu7nu]

Good on ya, I hope they all grow big and tall.

[@michaelangelo7511]

The neighbor should be locked up and never let out. Outrageous. If he didn’t like bears and doesn’t like Chestnut trees he belongs in either New York City or prison.

[@snowmiaow]

How sad. I hope your nuts grow.

[@snowmiaow]

Perhaps he shouldn't live in the country. Bears...ticks...skunks...coyotes...

[@bertblue9683]

Another tolerant lefty.

[@truthfulpenguin]

Delaware here. I just found an American Chestnut in a State Forest earlier today, and this video is convincing me to go back out and see if I can find any more.

[@brownro214]

There is a link on the American Chestnut Federation website where you can report the location. If the tree is producing burrs (nuts), federation members may want to collect some to support their recovery efforts.

[@lexheath8276]

I like that folks are concerned about trees. My focus is the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, saw a pair for the last two springs. Prior to that my last sighting was '76 or '77. Great job.

[@patk1254]

So cool……

[@wesmartin937]

Thanks for your great videos! My brother found a healthy American chestnut 8-10” diameter producing nuts in southern New Hampshire a few years ago. There probably are others around. There have always been a lot of small ones during my lifetime, but I always figured those were growing from stumps and roots from old trees. These larger trees are encouraging. Hopefully the ashes turn out alright over time like the chestnuts and the elms may be!

[@davidsauls9542]

Yes this IS exciting !! Thank you ! The story of the blight was told to me by my dad when I was a boy. We would walk through the forest and he would teach us about various trees. The best of times !!!!

[@bill8985]

Thanks, Adam, for a great tour of your woods... I love finding chestnuts (and also cool shrooms!) - but wow, what a gorgeous massive white oak! That's also beautiful and host to so many important invertebrates! Cheers from NEPA.

[@kailee5694]

I still remember the poem “Village Blacksmith” , he worked under the spreading chestnut tree. 😊

[@realeestatereaction]

My parents have a huge chestnut tree in their yard. Has consistently produced chestnuts every year for the past 33 years they’ve lived there. Used to hate it as a kid because they are quite prickly and hurt to touch them when we played outside. Now I appreciate that it’s there knowing how rare they are. Hope to see the chestnut make a comeback!

[@Lmfleaflicker]

And thanks Adam i learn so much from you

[@cfps66]

Hi, I went to Vermont Law School for Environmental Law. While there they discovered a mature, perhaps old growth, stand of American Chestnut near Montpelier. Do a google search an you may still be able to find that bit of happy news. Now, I live in Maryland near the Susquehana and I amuse myelf when hiking by looking for Paw Paw trees. We didn't have them on Long Island where I grew up but I find them around here all the time. I'm going to gather some in September because I've never tasted one. Let me know if you wnt to link up for a Paw Paw hike. Cheers, Chris

[@jayyk31]

Im from Long Island.

[@jayyk31]

I just found one in Belmont Lake St Park yesterday. Blighted at the soil line about a foot up.

[@patrickday4206]

​@@jayyk31is the island really that long??? 😂😂😂

[@crisprtalk6963]

I found one once. Really cool to see.

[@tessjuel]

9:50 It may sound a bit strange but it could actually be a good sign that there are infected trees among the healthy ones. It must mean that some of the trees have some sort of defense against the blight.

[@ReVeRbx-fe5wr]

The American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was nearly wiped out in the early 20th century by the chestnut blight, caused by the Cryphonectaria parasitica fungus. Since then, there has been a concerted effort to restore the species through breeding programs, with a key strategy being hybridization with the Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima), which has a natural resistance to the blight. The goal is to create a hybrid that retains the characteristics of the American chestnut, such as its size, wood quality, and ecological value, while also incorporating the blight resistance from the Chinese chestnut. The hybridization process aims to produce a tree that is genetically similar to the American chestnut but with enhanced resistance to the fungus. In addition to hybridization, there are efforts involving genetic engineering, where scientists have introduced a gene from wheat that helps the tree resist the blight. This modified tree, known as the "Darling 58" line, has shown promise in lab trials and is a major part of the restoration efforts. The goal is to establish a population of blight-resistant American chestnuts in areas like the Appalachian Mountains, where they once thrived and played a key ecological role. These efforts are ongoing and face both scientific and regulatory challenges, but they are promising steps toward bringing the American chestnut back to its native range.

[@w.a.a.]

Great news, happy to learn this. Chestnut was such a part of our history. There was a massive chestnut tree down the road from us in my home state of CT. It was on an elderly woman's property at the edge of the road. The trunk must have been close to three feet in diameter. It had a big canopy and would drop its chestnuts all over the road. Cars would drive over all the spiny husks scattered there. It is gone now, sadly. I use chestnut flour to bake with. It makes delicious pancakes and muffins. So glad they are coming back.

[@snowmiaow]

What happened to it?

[@w.a.a.]

@@snowmiaow I am not sure. I was upset to see it gone when I returned on a trip. I assumed there was some sort of blight. Such a loss. I may have a photo I took among local scenes I shot decades ago.

[@NotYoung3592]

I think this is the most excited Adam has ever been on this series.....

[@christinebuckley451]

Thank you for sharing, as always Adam! You are a gift 🎁 . Much love to you, brother! 🌱 💚 🌱

[@judithshure3928]

We planted three in our yard from The American Chestnut Foundation. We have since found some large specimens in our neighborhood in Maryland. It’s very encouraging.

[@CriticalTechReviews]

Your excitement is infectious and I hope these come back.

[@michaelvanwormer3586]

We live near Keuka Lake in NY, and I have a friend nearby who has a beautiful American Chestnut that I admire every year around the 4th of July for its "fireworks" blossoms. Folks from Cornell University come up annually to keep an eye on it.

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

That's great news Adam, you finding so many American Chestnuts in one area. The kind is making a fantastic come-back in your area and others. Thanks for the many videos about the woods.

[@LifebyLisa4444]

In NH when I studied this tree it was explained that yes, they exist but do not get to a large maturity sadly. Love seeing you locate them in your area.

[@heretolevitateme]

That's a beautiful un-logged forest. Thanks for filming and educating!

[@wesh388]

Very cool to see! Thanks for sharing, Adam. Always love your videos

[@nancyshinn2037]

Thank you so much for this video Adam. This was truly inspiring. I was hoping this tree was not extinct, numerically or functionally! And your love of nature is also inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing your passion!

[@TnOrchidguy]

Thank you, Mr. Adam, thank you.

[@samuelbrainsample]

I always enjoy your stuff Adam and if I ever get up to PA, I want to take one of your foraging 'field trips'. This one is especially nice and encouraging.

[@virginiarocks]

Thank you- always thrilled to see evidence of living American Chestnut trees ❤

[@michellekelly1746]

I love your videos, Adam! This one is so special; thanks for sharing that outing with us all :). Wonderful to have "functional extinction" explained and to learn that the root systems of the Chestnut are still just biding their time. That implies that the Beech trees (being in the same family) may be able to outlive the disease that's been taking them down as well. What excellent news; thanks again!

[@mikehillas]

I live in Massachusetts, and have often found groups of chestnut trees in various forests throughout the state. When I lived in Greenfield I had a very large one on the edge of my property line--almost as large as the biggest one you found. It was about 40-50 feet tall and healthy, but never blossomed as it was still an under story tree and shaded out by adjoining red oaks and maples. It is critical that the trees get a lot of sun light to enable them to blossom and bear nuts, and unfortunately most die before they reach that stage. The very large tree you found is extremely impressive--I've never seen an American chestnut that big. If it received more sunlight it would certainly bear nuts, but as you surmised it's still in the shade of taller trees. You may want to try to contact the Pennsylvania chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation to let them know the exact location of that tree. There's always a slight chance that it could be resistant to the blight, and not just a lucky tree. Best of luck in your search for more large trees.

[@davidsavage6227]

I LOVE this video about Chestnut trees!! I was born in PA. Special meaning. Beautiful place!!

[@TgWags69]

I ordered several american chestnut seeds last winter from oregon. Only 3 came up. I am going to try using colloidal silver to water into the ground as it has been shown to transport up into the tree tissues and hopefully fight the blight. Wish me luck 😉👍

[@anitaodom5155]

That sounds like an excellent plan! Much good luck!!

[@Justanotherconsumer]

Colloidal silver is… pretty dubious scientifically. See if the trees end up with argyria? Might look cool, but I wouldn’t expect any meaningful antifungal effect.

[@stacyhazelwood4033]

Wow, that one is a huge tree for a modern American Chestnut!!! I live in middle Tennessee. When I go hiking in Tennessee, I most always find small examples that still sprout up from where old dead stumps were. They are out there, just small. The largest one that I have found in the woods is about 4 inches in diameter and about 30 feet tall.

[@disjustice]

I got a couple of seedlings that have had some some resistant genes crossbred into them. Planted them this spring. Hopefully if they breed true my kids will be able to enjoy them. We have to keep trying to save this great tree. My uncle in Scituate, MA has a neighbor with a great old chestnut in his yard (actually must be 2 since it makes fruit), don't know if it is naturally resistant or just lucky, but it's beautiful.

[@daveyjoweaver6282]

Thank You Adam! What a treat to find that sizable Chestnut! I live on 8 acres of woods sourrounded by hundreds of acres of a county park and state game lands here in south east Pa. I’ve lived here over 30 years and in the beginning I had a number of chestnut trees ranging from small to 3-4” in diameter. The larger one died but there are some small ones. My Grandfather was born a few miles from here in 1892. He talked about gathering chestnut in pillow cases as they were very plentiful. You also find huge chestnut logs in old log houses in this area, Lancaster County. As a restorer of antiques, a huge amount of chestnut was milled for furniture and as a basswood to veneer over. From what I’ve read about chestnut trees in this area it stated that in some areas chestnuts comprised 60% of some areas. I’d Love to see their return! Kind Thanks and Many Blessings with Great Discoveries DaveyJO in Pennsylvania !

[@bluwtrgypsy]

Always wonderful and informative. thank you.

[@TheJohnFry]

I have about 8 American Chestnut trees in my yard in Ligonier. Theyu are around 60 years old. No sign of blight. My Dad worked with the Game Commission and dug them out of the mountain and planted them. Very healthy trees, They are all bigger than that tree you showed us. Chestnut is very good to cook over.

[@amazingdavon]

We have several near my camp in central WV - one is close to 100 +/- feet tall, and at least as many years old. The chestnuts are delicious and plentiful every year. I've reached out to the forestry service and Extension, without ever getting a response. I still have some nuts in the fridge from last year's harvest. This year, I plan to plant some and plant the saplings to disperse around the area.

[@bdickinson6751]

You may want to reach out to the American Chestnut Foundation.

[@amazingdavon]

@bdickinson6751Awesome - will do! Thanks for sharing! 30 or so years ago, the landowner's brother established a deed just for the largest tree, as well as a small swath of land around it, separate from the main property deed. We've cared for it for many years. I'll provide an update if/when we hear back from American Chestnut Foundation. Beat to All!

[@Bondodon1849]

It's cool cool that were able to find these trees. Thanks for sharing!

[@ButterBallTheOpossum]

I don't know what part of Western PA you live in but i live in a city called Irwin outside of Pittsburgh and there's a park called Oak Hollow and there are multiple large American Chestnut trees there and one that is massive. Its at least twice the circumference of the trees in the video. I can just barely get my arms around it and I'm a very tall man at 6'4 so the tree is at least 6'3 in circumference. Its very fat but not quite as tall as the others. The leaves of the bigger one are noticeably darker too.

[@seyer-leinadodnavo4250]

Adam is always so much fun to learn about mother nature with you and the passion you bring on each video, thank you for spreading awareness and positivity on how to care, protect, eat, using, and thousands of fun facts on each video ❤👍🇺🇸America is unique, and when I say America I mean the real America from the Patagonia in Argentina to Canada.

[@jackphillips3512]

Thanks for the video. There are literally tons of A. chestnuts in my part of southwest Virginia. Most are sprouts though. There a bunch on top of Molly's Knob, Smyth County, Virginia, but they all show signs of blight.

[@francisbusa1074]

Thank you my friend for this video. I was a production forester in Northern California many years ago. I've always thought that one of the saddest stories I ever heard was of the tragic loss of countless wonderful American Chestnut stands. It is so encouraging to hear that they may be coming back now. I'm truly grateful for this video, sir. And I've subbed. :)

[@Silly7852]

My grandfather had a large healthy American chestnut tree on the edge or his garden in PA but the company that bought his property when he passed took it down along with a pear tree, peach trees, a mulberry bush and many crops. It could've been an amazing community garden or even made into a small forest.

[@username_not_found1316]

Outstanding video! It’s very encouraging to see American chestnuts that size. Have you ever seen the Allegheny Chinquapin in your area?

[@derekfoehr9264]

Back in 2013, I lived in Springfield MO. There was a large American Chestnut in the backyard next to the deck. It was health with no disease.

[@tj5153]

We have a lot of them in Tennessee. Lots of HUGE ones.

[@deedeezambito2489]

Thanks. Very educational.

[@______IV]

Awesome finds! Glad you pointed out the difference between numerical and functional extinction…even though those terms aren’t all-descriptive.

[@user-hn9fr7mn3x]

Do you think it’s possible that that specific grouping of chestnut trees has developed a tolerance or immunity to the blight? If so, it would be a good idea to harvest some of the nuts and start growing more resistant chestnut trees.

[@disjustice]

It sounds like these were sprouts that grew from the roots of trees previously killed by the blight. If so, they are genetically identical to the ones that previously die (really they're the same tree). So they'll be killed back again when they encounter the blight again as they won't have any more resistance than the first time around.

[@kevinbarry7055]

Your enthusiasm is refreshing 😊

[@shanerichardson9568]

I was literally just thinking about this yesterday! We need to spread them!

[@thebodyH2O]

Thankyou, Adam, for your posts about American chestnut!

[@davefixit9405]

I have 2 old ones on my property. still putting out chestnuts

[@Tracy-wr7mj]

how tall and how wide is the trunk?

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

Please distribute the nuts of the old chestnuts, they are highly likely immune.

[@davefixit9405]

@@Tracy-wr7mj 18 inches or so. and 50 ft tall

[@donaldporta]

Years ago I was a volunteer with the American Chestnut Association, out of Penn State---- they were always asking for info on local thriving and producing chestnut trees to collect seeds for crossing with disease resist from Europe Asia and Russia, If you found producing please let them know. They are getting very close to start reseeding our woodlands!

[@timhallock4066]

Nice video !. People living today cant realize how different the Forrest is on the east coast after the American Chestnut was wiped. out. Also don't forget the look alike Chestnut Oak !

[@addisonturner4123]

There’s a significant population of chestnut trees in Aiken South Carolina, they seem to love the sandy soil. I did utility line clearance there for a while and was mesmerized and poked from time to time by the spiky husks the chestnuts reside in. Just commonplace to be in a front yard of someone’s house, throughout an entire neighborhood

[@notmyworld44]

Dear friend, I share your joy in finding these living and healthy American Chestnut trees. Anytime I hear this tree mentioned I think of my dad who was born in the first decade of the 20th century and grew up in chestnut forests of north Georgia. He used to tell me about these magnificent trees and how the people of his region used to harvest the nuts and even the wood to supplement their meagre incomes. He said it was a devastating blow to the Appalachian people when the American Chestnuts disappeared, and how much he missed them. Dad went to his heavenly reward in 1990, and I have always believed that an important feature of his Heaven is vast shady and cool chestnut forest where the nuts aren't covered with prickly spines. Good show, my friend, and God bless you, from northwest Arkansas.

[@jokriegel8498]

I always enjoy your information! Thank you, Adam.

[@MarufoVega]

I have park a mile from my house with American Chestnut trees in central PA.

[@hyfy-tr2jy]

In my research on extant American Chestnuts in eastern USA the example at 3:00 is about as big as you typically find. Once they get bigger than this they start to form splits in their bark and that is when the blight gets into its system and kills it back.

[@robohippy]

I am a wood aholic.... I have one American Chestnut in my yard from a friend near Crawfordsville, OR. I was driving near Jefferson, OR and passed this tree a number of times before I stopped to check it out. It is an American Chestnut. It is 36 inch diameter, and 90 foot tall at least. I have another friend in Stonington, ME who grows them. Got some planks from one that was harvested in the 70s. Some were 2 foot wide. Wonderful stuff!

[@garycheatham9472]

They say the internet spies on you talk about something then there it is u tube covering the subject but now i think it so . I seen one yesterday never said anything to anyone heck haven't seen anyone. Turned on you tube this morning heres your sight about chestnut . I was just fixing too look but hey here it is lol. This isnt the first subject either . The lord works in mysterious ways . God bless your enthusiasm keep up the good work .

[@stovetopicus]

Hanging out in the woods is easily one of the best things you can do with your day.

[@stephenbird5472]

In the 1970's when I was studying forestry we were taught that the American Chestnut was extinct. This video is encouraging but leads to more questions. Are these chestnuts pure American Chestnut or crosses with European Chestnut. Are there other populations such as these, or are we dealing with a very narrow gene pool? Do these trees have resistance or are they simply in a remote enough location that they have not been exposed to Chestnut Blight. In any case, it is good to see there is hope to at least cross some native Chestnuts with trees that hold resistance to the blight. Thank you for the video!