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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.
The Carolina Outdoors is powered by the Charlotte fly shop, Jesse Brown’s