Scientists Say Genetic Analysis Could Speed Restoration of American Chestnut

New study finds genetic testing can reveal disease-resistant trees to accelerate reforestation efforts.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new study published in the journal Science provides hope for the revitalization of the American chestnut tree, which went functionally extinct in the 1950s due to a deadly fungal blight and root rot. The researchers found that genetic testing of individual trees can reveal which ones are most likely to resist disease and grow tall, shortening the time it takes to plant the next, more robust generation. This 'engine for restoration' could allow the American chestnut to return to its native range in the coming decades.

Why it matters

The American chestnut was once a keystone species in Eastern forests, providing food and habitat for numerous animals as well as valuable lumber. Its functional extinction has had a significant impact on the ecosystem. Restoring the American chestnut could help revive these important ecological relationships.

The details

The researchers sequenced the genomes of multiple chestnut varieties to identify the genetic markers associated with desirable traits like disease resistance and height. By using this genetic information to selectively breed trees, they can create a new generation of American chestnuts that are roughly 70-85% American chestnut DNA but with the disease resistance of the Chinese chestnut. This genetic testing allows them to identify the best trees years before their traits would be demonstrated through natural growth, speeding up the restoration process.

  • The American chestnut went functionally extinct in the 1950s.
  • The new study was published in the journal Science on February 13, 2026.

The players

Jared Westbrook

Lead author of the study and director of science at The American Chestnut Foundation, an organization working to return the tree to its native range.

John Lovell

Senior author of the study and researcher at the HudsonAlpha Genome Sequencing Center.

Steven Strauss

Professor of forest biotechnology at Oregon State University who was not involved in the study but commented on the potential for gene editing to further accelerate chestnut restoration.

Donald Edward Davis

Author of the book 'The American Chestnut: An Environmental History' who expressed concerns about how much the American chestnut can be changed while still maintaining its unique identity and ecological role.

The American Chestnut Foundation

An organization dedicated to restoring the American chestnut tree to its native range.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What's new here is the engine that we're creating for restoration.”

— Jared Westbrook, Director of science at The American Chestnut Foundation

“It's a very complex trait, and in that case, you can't just select on one thing because you'll select on linked things that are negative.”

— John Lovell, Researcher at the HudsonAlpha Genome Sequencing Center

“People just won't consider biotech because it is on the other side of this social, legal barrier' and that's shortsighted.”

— Steven Strauss, Professor of forest biotechnology at Oregon State University

“Having that tree and no other trees would be sort of the gold standard.”

— Donald Edward Davis, Author of 'The American Chestnut: An Environmental History'

“I think if we only select American chestnut (tree genes), period, there's going to be too small of a pool and we're going to end up with a genetic bottleneck that will lead to extinction in the future.”

— John Lovell, Researcher at the HudsonAlpha Genome Sequencing Center

What’s next

The researchers hope that with the genetic 'engine' they have developed, the American chestnut can be restored to its native range in the coming decades.

The takeaway

The genetic analysis techniques developed in this study offer a promising path to reviving the iconic American chestnut tree, which could help restore a crucial species to Eastern forests and the ecosystems it supports. However, there are still concerns about preserving the tree's unique identity and ecological role.