American Chestnut

The Life, Death and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree
by Susan Freinkel

The chestnut was one of America's most valued and beloved trees, a "perfect tree" that ruled the forests from Georgia to Maine. But early in the 20th century, a blight swept through the forest, killing close to 4 billion chestnuts and leaving the species teetering on the brink of extinction. Susan Freinkel tells the dramatic story of the stubborn optimistics who refused to let this cultural icon go. In a compelling weave of history, science and personal observations, she relates their quest to save the tree through methods that ranged from classical plant breeding to cutting-edge gene technology. But the heart of her story is the cast of unconventional characters who fought for the tree for a century, undeterred by setbacks or skeptics, and fueled by their dreams of restored forests and their powerful affinity for a fellow species.

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