When I was a boy I remember reading in my outdoor magazines about the fungus that brought about the demise of the once great American Chestnut tree. 
And when I turned 25 I remember joining the Arbor Day Foundation and learned about their (and others’) nascent efforts to reintroduce the tree (I think by creating a hybrid version that was resistant to this particular blight). But I long since forgot about it.
Until now.
The foundation started planting their new chestnuts—one-sixteenth Chinese and the rest American—in Virginia in 2006. More than 100,000 of the trees are growing across 19 states, with plans for millions more in what the group calls the country’s largest ecological restoration effort. Thousands of trees were inoculated with the fungus in June 2011, with 20% showing strong resistance and 40% with a more moderate amount, foundation president Bryan Burhans said. Scientists will select for the strongest resistances when breeding future generations, he said.
I am not sure I’d call this “success” yet, but it is yet another illustration that the term “irreversible” is not as clear as what one might imagine. Remember, after all, that the Russians just regenerated a plant that had been “extinct” for many millions of years. By the way, when looking for an image of the tree to post I ran across this article from Scientific American.
HT to the indispensable Maggie’s Farm.
499956 195653Howdy just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know some with the pictures arent loading properly. Im not certain why but I think its a linking issue. Ive tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome. 719733
995817 562737I like this post a good deal. I will definitely be back. Hope that I will probably be able to read much more insightful posts then. Will probably be sharing your information with all of my associates! 279583
798078 649740Hello! I could have sworn Ive been to this blog before but right after browsing by means of some of the post I realized its new to me. Anyways, Im surely happy I identified it and Ill be book-marking and checking back regularly! 264421
Muchas gracias. ?Como puedo iniciar sesion?
74926 528324Some genuinely superb weblog posts on this web site , regards for contribution. 899542
894260 589213My California Weight Loss diet invariably is an cost effective and versatile staying on your diet tv show created for men and women who find themselves preparing to drop extra pounds and furthermore ultimately maintain a considerably healthier habits. la weight loss 816045
844803 934612This is an superb post and I completely recognize exactly where your coming from inside the third section. Perfect read, Ill regularly follow the other reads. 31601
181643 381244Really fascinating info !Perfect just what I was searching for! 715812
977137 152716Very well written story. It will be valuable to every person who utilizes it, as properly as myself. Maintain up the great work – i will surely read more posts. 866648
202922 49741Howdy just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few with the pictures arent loading properly. Im not sure why but I feel its a linking issue. Ive tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome. 638611
458713 148117This internet website is normally a walk-through its the data you wished concerning this and didnt know who ought to. Glimpse here, and you will surely discover it. 140072
541849 623375excellent day, your internet website is inexpensive. I do a lot of thanks for succeed 433551
663879 99344We clean up on completion. This might sound obvious but not numerous a plumber in Sydney does. We wear uniforms and always treat your home or office with respect. 732693
201572 813653Sweet web site, super pattern , real clean and utilize genial . 911966
461047 346978This web page is often a walk-through for all of the details it suited you with this and didnt know who to ask. Glimpse here, and youll certainly discover it. 91034
898928 186821I like this website very a lot so much superb information . 424569