Figuring Out How to Bring Back a Lost Giant...the American Chestnut
Blight-Resistant American Chestnut in Canada
In this episode, we dig into some history, a sad story – and hope.
All this from a tree that was known as the redwood of the east. A towering tree prized for its wood. A tree pivotal to the forest ecosystem.
And by the 1950s, it was thought to be extinct in Ontario.
But it wasn’t extinct. And it’s not extinct now.
We head to southwestern Ontario to find out what the Canadian Chestnut Council is doing to bring the American chestnut back to the landscape.
Whether you’re a forager, interested in food forests, or want to grow nuts, this is a fun chat.
Our chestnut guide is Ron Casier, chair of the Canadian Chestnut Council.
We talk about:
The American chestnut, and the place it held in the ecosystem
Chestnut blight, and its effect on chestnut populations
The “Canadian” American chestnut
Breeding disease-resistance American chestnut varieties
