An effort to restore a long lost tree to Brooklyn bears fruit

Long before Brooklyn was pavement and buildings, the borough was covered with hardwood forest. And many of the trees in that forest were American chestnuts.  

The tree was a vital part of the ecology and early economy, but over the last century have been all but wiped out by a blight from an airborne fungus.

Now, an effort to bring the tree back to Brooklyn is finding success. Bart Chezar is a chestnut expert and a volunteer with the Prospect Park Alliance. He spoke with WNYC Morning Edition host Michael Hill about his decades-long work to restore the tree.

Interested in planting one and helping it grow? Email bchezar@nyc.rr.com