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. 13, 2026

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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.

Why it matters

The American chestnut was once a keystone species in Eastern forests, providing food and habitat for many animals. Its loss has had a significant impact on the ecosystem. Restoring the American chestnut could help revive these forests and the species that depend on them.

The details

The researchers sequenced the genomes of multiple chestnut varieties and identified the genetic markers associated with desirable traits like disease resistance and height. This allows them to breed trees that maintain a high percentage of American chestnut DNA while gaining the disease resistance of the Chinese chestnut. Genetic testing can reveal the best offspring years earlier, allowing for a faster turnaround between generations and more rapid accumulation of improvements.

  • The new study was published on February 13, 2026 in the journal Science.

The players

Jared Westbrook

Lead author of the study and director of science at The American Chestnut Foundation, an organization working to restore the American chestnut 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 efforts.

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 role in the ecosystem.

The American Chestnut Foundation

An organization dedicated to restoring the American chestnut tree to its native range in the eastern United States.

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What they’re saying

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

— Jared Westbrook, Director of science, 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, 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, Oregon State University

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

— Donald Edward Davis, Author, "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, HudsonAlpha Genome Sequencing Center

What’s next

The researchers plan to continue their work to identify the optimal genetic mix to restore the American chestnut, balancing disease resistance with the tree's iconic characteristics. They hope to see the first disease-resistant American chestnut trees planted in Eastern forests within 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 critical component of Eastern forest ecosystems. However, the challenge remains in striking the right balance between preserving the tree's unique identity and introducing the genetic diversity needed for its long-term survival.