# Chestnut Grove at Risk from AI Datacenter

> West Virginia's last American chestnut grove faces relocation by AI datacenter Nscale, described as largest single AI investment in US history.
- Title: Chestnut Grove at Risk from AI Datacenter · Indiatimes
- Summary: West Virginia's last American chestnut grove faces relocation by AI datacenter Nscale, described as largest single AI investment in US history.
- Keywords: american chestnut grove, west virginia, nscale, ai infrastructure, chestnut blight, datacenter relocation, monarch compute campus, mason county, india, Indiatimes
- Source: Indiatimes — https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/one-of-last-remaining-chestnut-groves-planted-in-the-1970s-from-wild-surviving-american-chestnuts-at-risk-of-being-wiped-out-by-datacenter-labelled-as-largest-single-ai-infrastructure-investments-in-us-history/articleshow/135632634.cms
- Author: TOI Tech Desk
- Published: 2026-11-07T09:41:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: american chestnut grove, west virginia, nscale, ai infrastructure, chestnut blight, datacenter relocation, monarch compute campus, mason county, india, news
## Chestnut Grove at Risk
One of last remaining chestnut groves planted in 1970s from wild surviving american chestnuts faces risk of being wiped out by datacenter.
## Datacenter Investment
Nscale describes its Monarch Compute Campus as 'one of largest single ai infrastructure investments in us history'.

> one of largest single ai infrastructure investments in us history
## Investment Scale
The company plans to invest more than $20 billion across a campus covering over 2,250 acres.
## Clements State Nursery
The orchard at former Clements State Tree Nursery in Mason County was established in 1976 from surviving wild trees.
## Blight Resistant Trees
Researchers collected nuts from large surviving trees in west virginia, virginia and maryland hoping for blight resistance.
## Tree Survival
Some seedlings died but survivors now reach 60 feet and produce nuts despite blight infection.
## Second Orchard
Nuts from original planting established second orchard in 1990s supplying seeds for restoration across west virginia.
## American Chestnut Foundation
Foundation describes Clements as managed orchard supporting research, breeding and seed production.
## Tree Count
Orchard contains roughly half a dozen surviving trees from original planting and 15 to 20 mature trees from later planting.
## Blight Status
Although infected with blight, trees continue producing nuts despite disease.
## Relocation Plan
Governor Patrick Morrisey announced trees will be relocated within property in late 2027 during dormant season.
## Nscale Coverage
Nscale would cover relocation costs and maintain access for seed collection and sapling distribution.
## Tree Specialist Concerns
Local tree specialists warn relocation risks root damage and blight impact on mature trees.
## Nscale Statement
Senior VP Pete Hollis stated there's never been a plan to bulldoze or cut down the trees.
## Foundation Recommendation
American Chestnut Foundation recommended independent evaluation of relocation feasibility.
## Relocation Risk
No documented examples exist of successfully relocating mature american chestnut trees.
## Key takeaway

West Virginia's last American chestnut grove, planted in 1970s from wild surviving trees, may be relocated by Nscale's $20 billion AI datacenter in late 2027.