Actually, I wondered if it could be frost damage. The leaves and buds were just emerging so it could very well be a late freeze and they could come back from that [can't be the first time that's happened]. And it would make sense as it hit all of them regardless of size, age, location, or species [they were all various strains of Chinese chestnut]. Plus I know what blight looks like and there has been no sign of it on our property. So I really appreciate your thoughts on this -- offers an uplifting avenue of hope. I won't get a look at them for another week so I'm anxious to see what has happened in the mean time.