In the early 20th century a blight accidentally spread to the United States and killed approximately 4-5 billion American Chestnut trees. Thomas Estill explores the historical uses, economic importance, and demise of the tree, as well as ongoing research to bring the American Chestnut back and possibly reintroduce the species into the wild in the near future.
About the Presenter
Tom Estill, Board member of the American Chestnut Tree Foundation’s VT/NH Chapter, grew up in New Mexico and received his Bachelor’s degree in biology in 1975, and Master’s degree in Env. Sci. Ed. in 1990. Estill has been involved in formal and informal ed. for the last 48 years, serving as a classroom science teacher in CA, VT, NH, and MD, Adjunct Env. Sci. Ed. Professor at Plymouth State College, VT State Naturalist, and Aerospace Ed. Specialist for NASA’s Goddard Spaceflight Center. He has been planting American Chestnut trees in New England since 2014, and currently manages a 60 American Chestnut tree Germplasm Conservation Orchard.
