Dave Armstrong of the PA Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation explored the natural and cultural history of the American Chestnut, once one of the most important – if not the most important – tree species in the eastern forest. Armstrong recounted the catastrophe of the chestnut, and how a fungal infection known as chestnut blight has essentially eliminated mature chestnut trees from our forests. Armstrong additionally introduced and described efforts to restore the tree within forests, with emphasis on working being done in the Michaux State Forest and the South Mountain area.