chestnut blight

Chestnut blight is a fungal disease caused by the pathogen *Cryphonectria parasitica* that primarily affects American chestnut trees. Introduced to the United States in the early 1900s, it devastated chestnut populations, leading to the near extinction of these iconic trees. The fungus infects the bark, causing cankers that disrupt nutrient flow, eventually killing the tree. Despite efforts to breed disease-resistant trees and restore the species, chestnut blight remains a significant challenge for conservationists and forest ecosystems, highlighting the impact of invasive species on native flora.