It occurs to me that fungal blights are unpredictable.Take the spread of Valley fever in the west emanating from disturbed earth.At one time they say our desert west was a great inland lake.I have purchased petrified palm wood from that period.The Chestnut tree might have evolved in the west, or in that greater continent, before its break up.The years 1870,1890,1930 were drought and tornado years, possibly blowing blight spores eastward,to the last stand of Chestnut trees. Meanwhile The Chestnut evolved differently in other climates.No one knows what is buried from the past waiting to be the next blight.Are the plagues of Medieval,or even aids sprung from past episodes,buried in the earth, from an earlier time.Are the genetics of mankind influenced by what the earth holds.If there is a possibility of this being so ,should we spend money to investigate the earth content,the ocean,and particularly the air we breath?

There is a question.The spread of Chestnut blight assumes Japanese plants.Those dispersed plants were identified by burlap wrapping. These burlap wrapping and clothing most likely came from Asia or England in the 20th century. Jute,and other crops have been victim of the fungus MACROPHOMINA PHASEOLINA recently genomed.Jute might carry another passenger unless it was purged.If India solves their fungal problem is anyone listening?Or more to the point,why am I writing this, while feeling totally unqualified?

Those having made large sums during the last 10 years by any source, must purchase ,up to 33 percent of their wealth, in saving bonds, that do not pay interest,and are not redeemable for 10 years.The money used to eliminate present interest bearing bonds.Then start voting in the best brains available,hopefully fully independent

There are a couple of ideas that make sencse an must be said.Since the jet stream passing over China carried Cryphonectria spores and depositing here in rain for thousand of years,they suddenly became a problem. Second I do not know how much hypo virulent can be produced,or if it addresses all of the fungal variations,I suggest seeding the jet stream when rain can be forecast in the Appalachian and East coast area.I have in the past mentioned the role of H2O and calcium in bark splits.Is seeding with calcium feasible?I think the jet stream may play an increasing roll in our health.Is any one investigating it's possible usefulness?

I made an error at 10,000 per week it should have been 2500 per week.

We are told that most probably Crytonectria came from China at about 1900 on Chinese Chestnuts.Our Chetnuts spred after the Ice age.Consider that the Jet Stream sweeps the air above China tracked at 8400 miles in one week ,for somethin like 15000 years.What changed, except our pollution and the lesions in tree bark due to CO2.Can we afford to pay dock workers 10,000 a week while we allow a bloated Government kick the can.

Seems humanity needs new direction.I wonder if those that hate enough to do such harm can ever be sorry for the the mistakes we all make.Then again we punish those with impunity when we disagree.We war on Moslems because some few have hurt us and then cause payback.We give ave-rise great tolerance.Union political power trumps individual effort.If you are athiest or agnostic demean those who differ.Unfortunately we soon are phased out of the equality of brotherhood.Can we look at every person and see a a human with dignity,just because he was born the same way with the same less than perfect being.Would it be possible this Christmas for the people of the world to do some work of penance,some reaching out from president to starving individuals.Could we start the world again trying to help,not hurt!

I have a feeling that mud application to halt crythonectria involves bleach.Sea breeze salt NACL is so close to NACLO with the addition of moisture as in mud.The bodies of salt water it,s barrier.That and Co2 lesions on chestnut trees the main source of contamination.I suggest that plantings In the Chestnut Bay or other favorable islands would be beneficial if the Co2 in the soil were neutralized with calcium.I am not knowledgeable about these chemicals,only inquisitive.I note that bleach instructions preclude killing spores on wood because it is porous and does not reach the roots of mycelium.The moisture in mud solves this problem.I also advocate every effort to reduce automobile and heating pollution

Of interest is the one chestnut tree in Plainfield and Long Hill NJ.Why did they survive? The only clue I haven is another question.Drive through the Plainfield,Scotch Plains, Fanwood area.Observe the many fine large trees of other species.Could be good government,or good soil.About my ideas on government!I question the sad greidlock of legal i creating strong groups who have their way at the expense of everybody

This one deserves attention.Do away with all unions except the union of parents!The president is selected by the parents for 2 years,without political parties,wealth,or the source of biased news.They set percentage wise the tax business must pay to support all communities,and governments by the numbers.The income of top men is limited to a percentage of profits.Replace Senate and Congress by 50 representatives selected by the states parents from the local representatives.Keep the constitution simple by total equal respect for each parent and offspring.Make it difficult to obtain citizenship.Look back to history to see what Franklin Roosevelt did to employ people and compare!I may be stupid but compare.

Rush for the sake of sanity!the world governments and UN must flatly declare that what ever one believes, is to be respected and beyond reproach or negative action,Such action as the current turmoil caused by the film and You Tube must be punished.Those responsible should be sent to Afghanistan for an unpleasant vacation.Those nations refusing to admit the equality of belief and non belief ,for respect and safety, shall be shunned as do the Amish.Those governments that rule without free consent of the people shall be shunned,Those political parties must treat opponents with respect.Political parties can only represent all the people.There cannot be government support for one segment against another.Rich people must distribute their wealth to the poor or be publicly shunned.The Governments should cut to one house of fifty members representing all the people.Only 55 singed our DOI.Journals and media must end bigotry.End unions and establish fair top to bottom wages.Consider no personal or property tax:tax only business and capitol gain.Consider free schools for every person of all faiths with government tax funds and charitable contributions,no smothering public school blackmail.I know what I said is fantasy,but to me it makes sense.Otherwise I am a cynic who sees only the present chaos escalating.Perhaps no one agrees: I am wrong: and this diatribe is futile,

Let.Consider that Cryphtonectria here all around. Let's propose it did originate in China.I wondered why the 1849 Chinese did not seem to be the source.Let's wonder why it took 50 years to cross the Atlantic despite lots of American visitors loaded with virus. Let's wonder why it took 80 years to reach Wisconsin ,even with plenty of East West travelers. What is the common barrier.I suggest the salty oceans and salty great lakes.The breezes might purify with salt.Has anyone compared mud baths with and without salt water.

I propose that Jefferson was wrong about separation of church and state,This is impossible without good will by all.No signs presently suggest this.I think the most outrageous examples of this can be seen in the dictators. The constitutions of all governments should lead with the respect by all in the beliefs of all being equal, providing they do not include violence or abuse,All government officials are for service for all without prejudice of party or personal agenda. Meeting places free to access by all citizens without proselytizing speeches should be established.They will be a place for two or more human being to meet.In other words,to believe in God or not!Beliefs are as personal as our blood,bones and skin.It will change for some by what he is a part of.No one can claim to be a superior being.We are all equal

Could auto"s have fender scoops with trapping filters and automatic seals below certain speeds trap pollutants?

Today's news suggest higher pollution in certain cities rather than random distribution. Misery likes company!I suggest that wind mills could serve a double purpose.Outfit them with moveable rolls of thin material. This material can trap everything down to .005 microns,oxygen is .0005 microns. Most pollutants including viruses would be caught,and if necessary 1 micron would catch most pollutants. A detector could govern the roll speed, and the spent reel destroyed periodically. Automobiles and planes could also use such devices. I think the idea is worth a follow up.

I have meant all along to find answers to the chestnut blight. Perhaps I have a mission without the base knowlege.I wonder that once almost all the billion chestnut trees were spewing out spurs.Now that they can.t attack young trees they are always close.What do they subsist on till then.Could it be some grasses?Grass must have replaced tree shade.Is it possible to find spur populations on any natural surface?Is their nutrient air borne?Do spurs require nutrients aside from chestnut cambria?Are they the type that live a million years.Why didn't the Chinese bring spurs into the country during the mine and railroad building?Why did it take 50 years to reach Wisconsin and 30 years to reach Europe?I do not find anyone asking or answering questions.It may be that none of us march to the same drummer or are in the same boat,or that everyone but me has more important use for their time, except you.

What is driving the world to suicide.Acid rain poisons the soil so crops will fail.Fungus change to different forms to counter efforts to combat.The climate change is causing drought.It's OK if medicine causes death as long as you can still advertise and pay off the lawyers.Houses are becoming vacant partly due to a built in school tax disaster.Our CEO"s and bankers want all the money.Big stores are so efficient so little stores close.The gas price has made car travel exorbitant.NY has made bridge, tunnel, trains only affordable by the rich.My forty one comments,though only speculation draws no comments.The news sources are solely entranced by violence,as is the entertainment Neanderthals.The elections have engendered the depth of hate without hope.I am now reading Teddy Roosevelt life after the White House.He took pride of a year in Africa killing animals,and took great pride in it.Can one still respect the face on Mount Rushmore,or the hero of San Juan hill.Cajole China, illegal aliens,secular dominance fools.

i see that cryphonectria now attacks Oak And Beech.All have either smooth or furrowed bark with either the tips or lesions entered,Perhaps reading an article"Why do River Birches have peeling barks?What biological advantage does that give them?"suggest.Is it possible to place such a gene in the American Chestnut tree?I do not see that the exfoliating trees are attacked.

It is strange that the blight joins around the tree.It must grow from a central brain like an octopus.How else explain mud controlling the head and not invading under the bark.Suppose the mud is filled with virulent and hyper virulent Cryptonectria.Suppose the hypo virulent is more active in moisture.Learning that the blight spores have charges suggest that instead of mud ,electric charges or magnetic earth particles under moist conditions might easily be tested.I am aware that certain bacteria may be the element in mud but there may be other things about soil not now considered.

Again this is a speculation question addressed to all the elite.There is a site"Influences of calcium oxide in marine fuel oil emission". It suggests to me that calcium oxide in gasoline under some conditions might be of value in co2 reduction.Calcium seems to show up in the world of ideas when thinking of too much co2.

Appalachian loss of snail calcium due to co2 and beech tree lesions also due to co2 may have something to do with blight explosion.Also Osage Orange and Iroko are Macular family.West Africa once joined to New England.If this is a viable way to help nature lets research!

The African Iroka tree when treated with ingredients converts co2 with ground calcium to limestone.It's used in several Afican places.Could we test Osage Orange in like manner or are we too busy?

The British Mycological Society has shown some soil fungi overcame other fungi in seven days through greater activity.They also segregated and grew soil colonies.If mud pack success is due to certain soil fungi it would be a significant find.I note that I called an important protein Cryporin,now called Chaperone.The absence of this protein in Cryptonectria prevented spore dispersion.Could a more active soil fungi steal protein?

Back again!If bacteria,fungus,spores, pollen and perhaps viruses have charges of either polarity, they must repel one another.Why engineer new traps when they exist in the automobile combustion chambers.Why is it not a good idea to remove the air filters and kill the air contamination.Has anyone checked the durability of cylinders without air filters?

The idea I have is worth merit because of the possible profit,jobs,the environment the plant kingdom,and lastly man's survival.And I give this idea feeling it will be very lonely on page 2.I read that sieves are cheap in the 200 micron range.Further organic spores,bacterium,mold and pollen can be killed with KV capacitors(cheap).Furthermore co2 and methane can be reduced biologically.Why wouldn't the government mandate research for such a device on all cars,train and planes .This is my thank you for an unplanned but pleasurable experience.

I read that some spores may live a million years despite heat,radiation,dessication and cold.There appears few articles on predators despite the great variety.While they do collect moisture to form clouds,they also cause health problems.We also have industrial pollution such as ozone.Would there be any use in equipping all locomotion with filters,or would that be too dangerous?I am not informed as to the beneficial effect lost or the expertise required for such filters.

A Professor Charles M. Leach,of Oregon State University finds fungus spores, plant leaves and bees have electric potential.Spores are jettisons to leaves because of charges.The attraction is diurnal with noon optimum.The purpose in bees is not fully understood.I had wondered if electric impulses would affect the virulence of Cryptonectria,I see also that the Japanese find lightning increases Mushroom growth.I would think this field would be fertile.

I would like to admit I have little knowledge of the chemistry involved in my rambling.What if thoughts may be deceiving.I hope that the improbable could lead to the causal.One correspondent suggested preposterous.Here is another flight of fancy.The Chestnut may have taken off 2250 years ago,not much shorter than our history of man.Compare that with 320 million year old amber from the bark of ancient trees.Can we use its chemicals to add something to another tree,and would we want to alter the future.

Recent science links Chaga's Iturin A,fengycin,surfatin as fungicides which shut down Cryptonectria Parsitica.Though I cannot say for sure even Osage Oranges may contain some of these fungicides.Wouldn't it be something if these are associated with the mud packs?And going out on a limb their existence in the earth associated with Osage Orange.Also I see working scientist are developing mites that savor vital parts of CP.If I keep reading I might yet be convinced.

The American Society for Microbiology issued "A Hydrophobin of the Chestnut".Though deep reading for me,it indicated it uncovered a protein Cryporin removed from Cryphonectria prevented it's spores from dispersal through the bark.At this point I would like the Smitsonian to correct me if wrong.I would now ask would it be possible to mass produce and add to bird seed in Northern migratory feeding grounds.Why I was ever allowed to have my thoughts presented is a mystery.However I hope I am giving myself a deserved pat on the back.

I have taken cross country auto trips and found it pleasant but void of trees.Returning to NJ and its forest was uplifting.Recently reading of the Chestnut demise and other species I lost faith in the East's future.An article restored comfort.It said that before the Europeans the land was 100% forested.By 1800 it was 20% forested,and now 60% covered.I can understand the shortage of heat at Valley Forge,and Jockey Hollow.I've also read the Meadowland of Jersey had giant Oaks cut down for the British in NY.Will the future be trees for lumber,or sweet Chestnuts,deep shade or happy animals,including man?

There is an Endophyte called B Sublilis with a history antagonistic to CHESTNUT Blight.An Endophyte bacteria or fungus compatibly lives within living cells performing helpful, not harmful, services.I cannot determine if the lack of progress is due to web junk,lack of grants,Government safety regulations or difficulty encountered in research.After all the trees are gone and our cities resemble Detroit,our agriculture too pricey,the dollar worthless,everybody crowding the dole system,What do we do with the thing that use to be under the hat?

In articles on Chestnut trees and fire I see opposing views.One states that American Indians using fire for agriculture expanded The Appalachian Chestnut domain from post glacial times.The other sees fires as sources of blight opportunity.It also suggest that continued winnowing of Chestnut wood is counter productive.It may be that fires then and now may have different results,but harvesting Chestnut wood now is weird.

I recently bemoaned the fact that nothing is written about mud packs.It seemed like an academic freeze on the subject.Subsequently I found a report by Timothy McKechnie of the Connecticut Chestnut Society.He expands on the subject but, does say ,for obvious reasons ,their are no grants in this area.He also says their are millions of micro-organisms in a handfull of earth.Knowing that so much unexplored treasury gets little grants should disturb everyone.Since the President wants to create jobs,why not start with the earth?

I just saw an article about Cryptonectria in a mud bath.The observer saw things not observed in 80 years.I really did not see such an article nor any observing the fact that their appears to be something antagonistic in mud.Nothing further!No asking why!I guess I don't know how to surf the web.Surely someone goofed by making this observation,and all the other brains went in more lucrative directions.Some youngster with a beat up microscope may someday send a report on this simple test.Then all those returning the chestnut in a few generations will turn over,and I'll be laughing.Did they really try ,or did they just follow the leader.

I may not be alive to say I told you so but here's a final sum up.For about 8 dollars I can buy a baby American Chestnut and an Osage Orange tree.By grafting them together I could have an answer to my questions.If inosculation (fusing the two) occurs what will be the result?Will I have a blight resistant American Chestnut?

I hope my wandering has led no one astray.I learned a bit by surfing the internet,and corresponding with those whose who have a passion for the subject.I am now a bit more informed and so am grounded.If you can't add to the subject,be invisible.

Why do we try to restore the AC with hybrids that suffer the same weak barks. Wouldn't it be better to save the nut and perhaps lose the lumber.Why not try to hybridize with other beeches,even if the nut is different so long as it is good food.I suggest cork oak with it's own commercial value,or White Swamp Oak with it's virility.Or perhaps there are family members with just superior bark.I say this because I know there are hybrids of Walnut,Pecans, Chinquapin.

Can Juglone gene insertion along with wood bark flexability work.Will cryptonectria in culture be damaged by Juglone,Lupeol,Betatin,Betatin,Acetate,Plumbagin.Is there any other natural wood preservatives candidates for gene insertion?

Read "Keystone and Cops" by Peter Bane.It suggests the shallow rooted Chestnut trees growing,on marginal mountain terrain,benefited by Passenger Pigeons droppings, rich in zinc.Another tragedy of the late 1800's.Also the deep rooted Osage Orange brought up zinc to upper levels.why try to bring back trees for which there are not sufficient nutrient in their past home?

I see where Hawthorne trees used as hedges in Europe more than the US is food for Lepidotera (Moths,Butterflies).What better way to transmit a virus to Cryptonectria if it's fruit carries Hypovirulence.I am looking for companion trees that support American Chestnut health!Hypovirulence single transferance seems not to preserve.

One simple test for an Osage Orange, American chestnut affinity.Dose the faint orange odor,have any effect on Cryphonectria.I am brought back by the Monmouth survivors.I have seen large OO there.The surviving Connecticut old stumps in an area that used the hedges.I have suggested Soothy Mould to block light from mud packs.Later saw black Chaga helped cure for a Canadian arborist.Been told by an expert that the absence of light in mud cure did not work.Is anyone there?

Thanks for the ego trip!Unfortunately I must admit simplistic solutions to natures profound mysteries is inexcusable.Go sit in the corner!But still!If only that mud pack chemical yields to a bright researcher worthy of my credit.

What would the introduction of sooty mold, which inhibits photosynthesis do to Chestnut cankers?Would that lack of light shut the canker down?Are these two in need of each other?

Supose that the mud packs have no chemicals stalling canker formation.Suppose that they only serve to block light waves.Has anyone measured the canker growth in terms of light intensity. Is there any material that would effectively prevents light from revealing the tasty cambrian beneath the bark?One read I saw suggest even the roots of exposed trees can be effected.Could a genetically light switch shut the blight down?

This may be my last attempt to solicit answers from a source I have respected. Further reading seems to indicate hypo virulence has reached nothing but new unforeseen problems.Since we are left with stumps and mud,turn the stumps on side in muddy swamps.Perhaps in time they will manage to outlive our fragile society.

Is their no place where hypovirulent cyphonectria can be safely disperced by plane.Some island,some high altitude cold isolation.In low wind and rain so that all the forces of nature rally round?

Chestnut Blight Spread N to S in 50 years.This is opposite the weather movement.Fungi can't loco mote.Navigating birds may have gradually increased the spores southward by feed and droppings.The coal burning weakened the trees by changing top soil chemicals.Might bird feed manufacturers add to bird seed what addresses both problems and let birds eventually help solve the problem?

I note the death of Pecan trees in Texas today.Seems some believe sulfur dioxide is to blame.If the 1880 coal beginning in the NE eventually weakened the ecosystem ,I propose.On these new Chestnut transplants,plant some deep.Clear away 120 years of pollution.Let the trees grow in whatever was there when they were young and hardy.You might have to prevent current atmospheric damage.Think about it!

I am tempted to buy a RP-HPLC kit,move to South Jersey, and pay to have ancient logs specimens delivered. Perhaps I would find an ancient Chestnut tree.One that grew in soil not grown in carbon dioxide saturated soil.In my fantasy it would have more Lupeol,Betatin or some rare chemical not present in the surviving American Chestnut trees.

In South Jersey there are swamps containing preserved logs spanning thousands of years.Perhaps there are American Chestnut trees as well.If these are as well preserved as the cedar,would an analysis of the wood compared to present blight prone trees be useful?I am disturbed that those with knowledge speak only to each other,that apparently is where the money and prestige is.why are these scientist not talking to each other in the peoples tongue to share their God given ability.Most internet postings are not worth reading!

I suggest an alternate Blight rapid dispersion cause.The Blight and Coal burning began in 1880.The change of carbon dioxide in atmosphere and soil increased in the next 70 years.Complex organic chemical(carbon compounds) are favorable to fungus not bacteria.This could have changed the game.The part of enzymes used by fungus to dissolve Chestnut cell walls cell walls is beyond my knowledge.Is there anyone out there willing to say no to one lacking their expertise.

It occurs to me that genetically aItered Chestnut trees might be better adapted to stand alone.I've read that some tree one inch in diameter had 60 rings for lack of light.Then the rings opened up to one inch with better light exposure.Why not make them small town trees to have less competition.I have also read that someone observed ants conserving or hopefully eating Mycelium, like the Mites.Can Cryphonectria be altered for sugar content,sterility,or photo sensitivity? Could stand alone plantings in high country of the East help?I know I will read Mycelium Running.At 86 I can only wish to attend classes by Suny's William Powell,and Rutger's Bradley Hillman.Don't snort academicians, a short time ago we were all taking baby steps.

Thanks Smithsonian for your patience and respondent Helen for shared interest.I am now aware that in "Mycelium Running" a Book on fungus,A Quebec arbores has claimed Chaga not only cured Chestnut Blight but rendered them immune.The upcoming meetings of the American Chestnut society should consider the approach by the American Chestnut Cooperative, and not put all of their eggs in the Chines Chestnut.Chaga has lupeol and Betulin, anti fungus chemicals,which came from the earth.If I should be told I'm wrong,or that the premise is not helpful ,say so somebody.I will willingly Bough like the Osage Orange

Can amazing Chaga with Lupeol and minute, heat gathering hairs, fight Chestnut Blight? I have no professional qualifications ,just fascination.Also I would like to see the miracles of scientific minds given to the public in place of farfel.

Dose anyone know if Lupeol Acetate or Lupeol derived from Osage Orange, by Swift and Walter, ever been tried to inhibit Chestnut Blight?I note that it has so many medical uses for humans including anti-fungicidal effects.Can such a chemical be absorbed by Chestnut seedlings by root or leaf?

There appears to be something in the mud packs used to cure American Chestnut cankers caused by the blight.Apparently to the layman it appears that the root and lower growth are protected from the blight.It may be that the fungus in the soil is killed by something or is repelled.I suggested the possible link between Osage Orange ancestor debris and Chestnut tree survivors.The accepted theory is survival by lack of proximity.I have seen no article that explains the soil fungus antagonism,nor the inability of the Chestnut tree to absorb anti fungal properties to the upper limbs.I am speaking only as an observer of one of our greatest loss.

Two of the most interesting and compelling trees to me, John.

I am in Columbia County NY. There are a few surviving Osage trees in a hedge row near the house. This seems quite far north for this species.

Perhaps Cornell Cooperative Extension would be interested in your theory.

There are few wild Sweet or Horse Chestnuts in the area other than the ones I've planted and most are in the town in gardens!

This is a bit far from your article but,I hope sparks interest.I propose that since there is a theory that the Osage Orange fruit was once spread further across the nation,as food for mammoths or horses,and spreading decayed concentrations of 2,3,4,5-tetrahedrons.I have read that this chemical has fungicidal properties.Wouldn't it be interesting if the surviving American Chestnut trees were surviving,because of the surviving fungicides deposited from long gone Osage Orange trees.They are generally now growing in the same vicinities,I've read.Would it suggests experimental cultivates or grafts.The research on these subjects are beyond the common layman.Related internet articles pink interest.