On Wednesday, April 24th at 7pm, Newlin Grist Mill will host a public screening of the recent documentary, CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut.

The American chestnut once dominated portions of the eastern U.S. forests, from Maine to Mississippi. Numbering in the billions, the tree was one of the tallest and fastest growing in those regions. Pollinators depended on the flowers, and wildlife, livestock, and people relied on its nutritious nut. Tall and fast-growing, the tree’s wood was rot-resistant and straight-grained, making it an excellent source of lumber. In the late 1800s a deadly blight, Cryphonectria parasitica, was inadvertently imported to the U.S. from Asia as global horticultural trade increased. The American chestnut had no resistance, and in fewer than 50 years the fungus had eliminated it as a mature forest tree, rendering it functionally extinct.

CLEAR DAY THUNDER is a production of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) and is about the grassroots efforts of passionate citizen scientists and researchers working to restore this ecologically and economically significant tree species. TACF has been resolutely working for 40 years to restore this majestic tree, developing invaluable partnerships and utilizing the latest scientific advancements. This new documentary film showcases the unwavering commitment of staff, scientists, and volunteers who are determined to save the tree.

The film screening will be held in the Log Cabin at Newlin Grist Mill as part of their Newlin Series and is free to attend. Seating is limited, so pre-registration is recommended by emailing [email protected] or calling the site at 610-459-2359.