The American Chestnut was a keystone species in the eastern forests of North America and a pillar of local and regional economies. An introduced blight killed approximately 4 billion trees and radically changed the environment for the worse. A single gene from spinach protects the chestnut against the pest and offers a possible means to restore this magnificent tree to its natural environment. Objections from opponents are without foundation, and USDA should clear the way for this as rapidly as possible.
