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I have about 6 acres I am keeping open for the eventual release of the genetically modified American Chestnut. The resistant tree was developed here in NY at SUNY ESF. It holds great potential for efforts to restore a species that produces large quantities of mast annually. The loss of this formerly dominant species resulted in a huge loss of food energy. Other mast trees do not produce good crops annually. I have been growing some for years. They die back from blight but I get nuts each year from the sprouts IF I can beat the squirrels to the nuts. They are the sweetest chestnut I have ever eaten, not big though. This size is just right for wildlife. My current trees will be used as a pollen source for the day when I can get a transgenic tree. While I generally oppose genetic engineering, this is about the best use I can imagine for the technology. The number of genes that were changed in the transgenic tree is only a handful, much fewer than the back crossed hybrids. Once the transgenic trees are approved by the feds, they will be made available first to members of the American Chestnut Foundation (large donors first). It may be 5 years before I can get my hands on one, and another 7 years until it produces seed. At that point I plan to grow as many as possible as a seed source for my area, seeds to be spread by bluejays. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141106082032.htm http://www.acf.org/mission_history.php I found an earlier message asking about hazelnuts. A really good source is http://www.badgersett.com/. They have a number of hybrids developed for everything from wildlife to human consumption. Be careful to protect the trees. Deer browse them heavily.