The Darling 58 is a genetically engineered American chestnut tree. The tree was created by American Chestnut Research & Restoration Program at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) in collaboration with The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF)[1] to restore the American chestnut to the forests of North America. These Darling-58 trees are attacked by chestnut blight, but survive. Darling-58 trees survive to reach maturity, produce chestnuts, and multiply to restore the American chestnut tree to the forests of North America.[2][3][4][5] An error resulted in use of an alternate cultivar, Darling 54 in some field tests of the Darling 58 cultivar of American Chestnut.[6]
While The American Chestnut Foundation discontinued support of development of the Darling 58 cultivar in December 2023, in part due to the mistaken use of Darling 54 in field trials,[7] The American Chestnut Research & Restoration Program, who originated the tree, continues its development.[8]
^"Darling 58". The American Chestnut Foundation. August 25, 2023.