American Chestnut: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree

Science News,  Nov 3, 2007  

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AMERICAN CHESTNUT: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree SUSAN FREINKEL

From Georgia to Maine, the American chestnut tree once reigned as a symbol of the country's rugged wilderness. A fungal blight imported from Asia, however, would eventually lay waste to some 4 billion chestnut trees and bring the proud tree to near extinction. Freinkel chronicles the history of the tree, the people who drew their livelihood from its high-quality wood, and the conservationists who are working with a near-obsessive passion to revitalize the chestnut population. Freinkel notes the close connection between rural people and the chestnut tree, which thrives mainly in the countryside. As early as 1880, scientists embarked on a crusade to save the American chestnut by cross-breeding hardier, blight-resistant varieties. Today, scientists are trying to genetically modify the deadly fungus to protect the few remaining American chestnut trees against future threats. Univ. Calif., 2007, 284 p., hardcover, $27.50.

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