I read an article in USAToday about the work that is ongoing to grow blight resistant Chestnut trees.
The blight which was first noticed in 1904 eventually killed 4 Billion trees. (No, that is not a mistake - 4 Billion).
The American Chestnut Foundation is reporting that they have 1200 one year old saplings that they are following and none has shown evidence of the blight. The trees are 94% American Chestnut and 6% Chinese Chestnut. Unfortunately, it will take 15-20 years to know for certain if they are really blight resistant.
While there is some reason for optimism for the Chestnut tree, I do not think there is not much for the Ash trees with the Emerald Ash Borer, for the Hemlock and the woolly adelgid, or for the elm tree with Dutch elm disease.
It is sad to think of all of the trees and wood that have been devastated with largely imported diseases.