Scientists Say Genetic Analysis Could Accelerate Restoration of Iconic American Chestnut Tree

Researchers believe genetic techniques could help revive the once-dominant tree species in eastern U.S. forests.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Billions of American chestnut trees once blanketed the eastern United States, towering high and producing abundant nuts that were a staple food source. But the species was devastated by a fungal blight in the early 20th century, with only a few remaining trees left. Now, scientists say genetic analysis could help accelerate efforts to restore the iconic tree.

Why it matters

The American chestnut was a keystone species in eastern U.S. forests, providing food and habitat for numerous other plants and animals. Its near-extinction has had major ecological impacts, and restoring the tree could help revive those lost ecosystems.

The details

Researchers believe that by analyzing the genetic makeup of surviving American chestnut trees, they can identify the most resilient specimens and use them to propagate blight-resistant strains. This could allow for faster and more effective restoration efforts compared to traditional breeding programs.

  • The American chestnut was nearly wiped out by a fungal blight in the early 1900s.
  • Scientists have been working for decades on ways to restore the species.

The players

American chestnut tree

A once-dominant tree species in eastern U.S. forests that was nearly wiped out by a fungal blight in the early 20th century.

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What’s next

Researchers plan to continue genetic analysis and breeding programs to develop blight-resistant American chestnut trees for reintroduction into forests.

The takeaway

Restoring the American chestnut could help revive important forest ecosystems in the eastern United States, but will require innovative genetic techniques to overcome the devastating fungal blight that nearly drove the species to extinction.