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American Chestnut Blight

By , About.com Guide

Chestnut Blight - 1943 Photo

Chestnut Blight - 1943 Photo

USFS Photo

Disease Description:

Chestnut blight is a fungus that has virtually wiped out the American chestnut, as a commercial species, from eastern hardwood forests. Although roots from trees cut or killed many years ago continue to produce sprouts that survive to the sapling stage before being killed, there is no indication that a cure for this disease will be found. The fungus is widespread and continues to survive as a nonlethal parasite on chinkapin, Spanish chestnut, and post oak.

Species Host:

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