In the early 20th century, a blight fungus wiped out most of the 4 billion American chestnut trees on the eastern seaboard.

This holiday season its probably not American chestnuts roasting on an open fire because the species is nearly extinct.

It's been a very long time since vendors sold the American chestnut on city sidewalks. It's no longer the variety whose smell some people associate with Christmastime as it wafts from street carts.

UNITED STATES — It’s been a very long time since vendors sold the American chestnut on city sidewalks. It’s no longer the variety whose smell some people associate with Christmastime as it ...

“I said ‘Dad, what caused all these trees to die?’ he asked. “Was it lightning?’” It wasn’t lightning. His dad told him of the once-dominant American chestnut and the blight that ...

Still, American chestnut trees are better-suited for timber, they're culturally loved by people all over North America and they used to be an important species for the ecological health of forests ...

Still, American chestnut trees are better suited for timber, they're culturally loved by people all over North America and they used to be an important species for the ecological health of forests ...