A deadly fungus nearly erased the American chestnut from US forests more than a century ago, transforming one of the region's most important trees into a rare sight. Once widespread across eastern North America, the tree provided food for wildlife and people while its durable wood was prized for construction and furniture. Now, scientists are using advances in genomics to understand the genetic basis of chestnut blight resistance and identify trees with the most promising traits. A study published in Science in February 2026 found that genome-guided breeding could help researchers select resistant trees much earlier. The approach could accelerate restoration efforts, although significant scientific and regulatory challenges remain.
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