A Second Chance for the Glorious American Chestnut

Snuggled into the woods in the western Massachusetts hilltown of Granville is an 18th-century homestead that I wish was waiting for me as I trudge out of the forest, weary and hungry at day's end. Hand-hewn timbers of a post-and-beam frame, wide chestnut floor boards, a fireplace with built-in bread oven; these are just a few of the heart-warming features of this fine old home.

John Meiklejohn amidst his chestnuts

But most inviting of all are the easy personalities of its lucky owners, John and Sarah Meiklejohn. And "Bodhi", the happy golden retriever, whose name derives from "bodhisattva", or "one who is on the path to enlightenment" (my first thought was, "why isn't its name 'Chestnut' ??"). They graciously welcomed three of us to their chestnut farm to see first-hand what restoring the American chestnut tree is all about.