The American Chestnut

2008 FESTIVAL.
A hundred years ago, one out of four trees in the Appalachian forests was an American chestnut. Some towered up to 100 feet tall and had diameters greater than 10 feet. The magnificent trees dominated the forested hills and mountains over much of the eastern U.S. Then came the lethal chestnut blight. By 1950, billions of American chestnut trees had been killed by this exotic fungus. Now only rare sprouts remain, clinging to life. This film is a journey through the research and rediscovery of this species and the scientists who have made it their mission to find a way to bring the American chestnut back.