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The American chestnut’s next chapter
These leaves used to be a more common sight. | Photo via NPS
Flash back a few decades ago, trekking through places like the WNC’s forests would have looked a lot different with massive American chestnut trees towering overhead.
Once known as the “redwood of the East,” they often reached heights of 150 feet, andwere among the largest, tallest, and fastest-growing trees in the US. Foresters dubbed them “the most useful tree in the woods,” feeding wildlife and livestock, supporting farmers, and supplying light, rot-resistant wood for furniture, fences, and buildings.
But then came the blight. At the turn of the 20th century, a fungal pathogen attacked American chestnuts, and by the 1950s, it had killed three to four billion trees. According to The American Chestnut Foundation, “the American chestnut tree survived all adversaries for 40 million years, then disappeared within 40.”
However, some researchers + activists are rooting for a comeback. Meet the organization working to regrow the tree’s legacy from right here in Asheville.
Violinist Geneva Lewis and guest conductor James Lowe join the Asheville Symphony for this concert, featuring works by three composers.
Scottish composer Aileen Sweeney’s “Glisk”
Bruch’s “Scottish Fantasy”
Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3, “Scottish”
Tickets are available for concerts at 2 p.m (limited seating) and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14, for a romantic evening without the fight for Valentine’s dinner reservations.
17.5+ million. According to preliminary data from the National Park Service, that’s how many visitors the Blue Ridge Parkway saw in 2025. After intensive Helene-related repairs, the parkway’s phased reopening began in the summer, drawing in the largest crowds in nearly 20 years. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Today Is
Groundhog Day, when Punxsutawney Phil will emerge and predict whether or not we’ll see an early spring, a tradition dating back 139 years. Locally, we’ll have Chimney Rock State Park’s Tater the groundhog and Brevard’s Pisgah Piper the white tree squirrel making predictions about the weather and the Super Bowl LX winner.
Nate Shaver will return to the Asheville Tourists this 2026 season for his sixth year as manager. And when we fans return to McCormick Field for opening day, things will look a little different after its $38.5 million makeover.
Read
Irish novelist and poet James Joyce was born on this day, February 2, 1882. As he once wisely said, “life is too short to read a bad book.” Find a good one instead at one of Asheville’s independent bookstores.
Try This
Whether you’re a small business looking to grow your team or a large company filling a key role, our Job Board can connect you with engaged, qualified locals who are ready to work. Post your open roles + watch the applications roll in.
Number
$0. That’s how much 94% of Nourish patients pay out of pocket to talk to a dietitian covered by their insurance. You could be covered, too — check your coverage + get matched with a dietitian who can cut through the food noise and build you a plan to thrive.*
Grab some Thai buffalo wings from Haywood Common next door, sip a craft brew while watching the game on the big screen, and try your hand at office olympics–inspired games after each quarter. Who knows, you might just win a Dundee.
I hope everyone had a splendid, snowy weekend. If you made a stunning snowman, I’d love to see it. Send me a pic for your chance to be featured in the next newsletter. Here’s one of my favorites sent in by Angela M. during last January’s flurries.
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