The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that the Darling 54 American chestnut is no longer regulated under its plant-pest rules.
The tree was developed by the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry for tolerance to chestnut blight, a fungal disease caused by Cryphonectria parasitica.
The determination followed APHIS’s review of the university’s petition, scientific information, a plant-pest risk assessment and public comments. The change in status took effect on August 28, 2026.
The decision does not restore the species on its own, but it opens a clearer path for continued research and careful restoration work involving the American chestnut.
