American chestnut conservation work at the U.S. National Arboretum

The U.S. National Arboretum has long been involved in conservation and breeding efforts for the American chestnut (Castanea dentata), a species devastated by chestnut blight. The Arboretum maintains living specimens and collaborates on research into blight-resistant hybrids and restoration strategies. These efforts are part of a broader national program to reintroduce healthy chestnuts into Eastern forests.