The American Chestnut with Michael Goergen
From Plant People by New York Botanical Garden
March 2, 2026 · 22 min · Season 3 · Episode 3
About this episode
Michael Goergen discusses the history and future of the American chestnut tree and efforts to combat chestnut blight.
In this week’s episode of Plant People, Michael Goergen of The American Chestnut Foundation joins us to discuss the tragic history—and hopeful future—of one of North America’s most iconic trees. In the early 20th century, chestnut blight arrived in North America, a parasitic fungus that went on to kill an estimated four billion American chestnut trees. But more than a century later, work is underway to cultivate a chestnut tree that can resist the fungus—and thrive doing it.
People in this episode
Guest: Michael Goergen
Topics covered
- American chestnut
- chestnut blight
- tree cultivation
- environmental science
- conservation efforts
Keywords
- American chestnut
- chestnut blight
- fungus
- tree resistance
- conservation
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The American Chestnut Foundation
Books & works: American chestnut trees
Places: North America
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