Other than learning about the quality of the campsites, we didn’t expect an education when visiting Shenango Recreation Area Campground on this sunny Sunday afternoon; but upon entering, an unexpected fenced-in orchard with a sign reading “The American Chestnut” piqued our interest. Believing the once prolific mighty giant of the eastern forests extinct, we stared in disbelief!
Three signs taught us that most American Chestnuts succumbed to the chestnut blight before we were born, but some stumps remain that are capable of producing sprouts. While most sprouts also succumb to the blight, some do mature and produce flowers and seeds. Using this genetic material, scientists created breeding programs with the hope of developing blight-resistant chestnuts; and the breeding orchard we saw is one of their research sites.
We only saw one tree with chestnuts still clinging to its winter-bare branches, but hundreds of husks littered the ground — and who thought we’d ever feel the rough, spiky husks of an American Chestnut? Seeing is believing, but feeling is even better.
aren't they super sized? I do like it when a post gets me researching further to read and learn more. You sparked an interest here and I have been reading about the Darling 58 and the OxO gene.
@helenhall They were about three inches wide...like a tennis ball! It makes me happy to know that you enjoyed learning more. I found the work of the scientists fascinating and spent some time learning more, too. Thank you so much for your always thoughtful comments!
March 11th, 2021
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