On this episode of Our American Stories, there was a time when billions of American chestnut trees stretched across the eastern United States. In Appalachia, their nuts fed families and wildlife, their harvests provided income, and their rot-resistant wood was used for everything from fences and homes to cradles and coffins. Then, in the early 1900s, a deadly blight arrived from Asia and nearly wiped them out. Before long, the American chestnut had become a tree largely confined to memory and Christmas songs.

Michael Goergen, CEO of The American Chestnut Foundation, shares the story of how America lost one of its most important trees and how his group is working to bring it back.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, there was a time when billions of American chestnut trees stretched across the eastern United States. In Appalachia, their nuts fed families and wildlife, their harvests provided income, and their rot-resistant wood was used for everything from fences and homes to cradles and coffins. Then, in the early 1900s, a deadly blight arrived from Asia and nearly wiped them out. Before long, the American chestnut had become a tree largely confined to memory and Christmas songs. Michael Goergen, CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftacf.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7Cea208cdca7e046fb4d5708def892e543%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639221507021675422%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=b3P1TnRADWCOTeyZrbAPVNUckXraInPxxj3YsO5NKB0%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">The American Chestnut Foundation</a>, shares the story of how America lost one of its most important trees and how his group is working to bring it back.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

How America Lost 4 Billion Chestnut Trees

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/aef9a9fe-01ad-45a0-9874-b4a6017389b7/transcript