mem_somerville t1_izblr16 wrote
I'm not a huge fan of the Chinese chestnut strategy--but hopefully the American chestnut approval comes along soon and we can start sinking carbon with those massive trees again.
Public comment is open at the US Federal Gubmint site. Tell them how much you want chestnuts restored--how good for the environment, etc.
RutherfordBHays t1_ize62gq wrote
Commented support! Was not aware that a blight resistant version had been developed. Great to see this species saved from extinction
mem_somerville t1_izg0wb0 wrote
Thank you. I think it's getting close, and I am monitoring the comments as usual. There are anti-chestnut copy-pastas as always, but a lot of genuine support too.
thexylom OP t1_izdfwfo wrote
Can you elaborate a little bit about why you prefer the American chestnut over the Chinese chestnut?
marcusregulus t1_izeixui wrote
The American chestnut is the native species, and as such, has adapted characteristics enabling it to be a competitive forest tree (tall and straight, climate adaptations etc.) that the Chinese tree somewhat lacks. The blight resistant American chestnut tree under development by TACF and SUNY is a transgenic organism. Meaning that a gene from wheat has been inserted (oxalate oxidase.)
We eat this gene in massive quantities every day, but you know how some people are about transgenic technology.
mem_somerville t1_izg0q1z wrote
As u/marcusregulus says, it's non-native. I don't know why people want this when every other times people talk about introducing species they say 'cane toad' and 'purple loosestrife' and those god-forsaken water chestnuts that I pulled out of the Mystic River for years.
Why don't they see that here? I ask the same thing every time someone wants Wolbachia instead of GMO mosquitoes and end up just rolling my eyes back in my head. People who claim to be environmentalists somehow can't figure this out.
Anyway: the American chestnut is what should be used.
[deleted] t1_izh3srj wrote
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