Chestnut research in Connecticut: Breeding and biological control

Connecticut has the longest continuing chestnut breeding program in the U.S., working to produce both timber trees that can survive in the forests, and orchard trees with valuable nuts. Our large collection of species (all seven) and hybrid (all combinations) chestnut trees allows extensive experimentation. The breeding program is aided by research on the biological control of chestnut blight disease to maintain populations of trees susceptible to blight, and by work on the biochemistry of the host/pathogen/parasite interaction.