Rare chestnut grove planted in 1970s faces threat from $20 billion AI data centre

American chestnut trees in West Virginia face potential relocation due to the development plans by Nscale. The company aims to build the Monarch Compute Campus on 2,250 acres, which has raised conservation concerns. Governor Patrick Morrisey announced plans for relocating the trees during their dormant season in 2027, under professional supervision. Experts have expressed concerns about the risks of relocation, especially since the trees are affected by chestnut blight.