Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2011

Keywords

American chestnut, Mine restoration tree, Blight-resistant chestnut hybrid

Abstract

The American chestnut (Castanea dentata) once occupied twenty-five percent of the eastern forests in the United States. Its massive size and prolific nut production made this species ecologically and economically important. At maturity, this species could top over 100 feet with immense, wide-spreading canopies. As a nut crop, the American chestnut tree was plentiful and considered one of the most important protein sources for wildlife such as squirrels, wild turkeys, deer, black bears, and many others. The lumber produced was extremely rot resistant and used for the construction of cabins, barns, fences, railroad ties, and furniture. Also, its bark, rich in tannins, was widely used for tanning leather. By the turn of the twentieth century, the financial value of this tree species was estimated well over $70 million in Pennsylvanian alone.

Publication Title

The Ohio Woodland Journal

Volume

18

Issue

2

First Page

26

Last Page

29

Required Publisher's Statement

The Ohio Woodland Journal is published by the Ohio Tree Farm System.

Link to the home page with access to the complete issue from Spring 2011 volume 18, number 2: http://www.ohioforest.org/page/OhioTreeFarmWJ/?

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

American chestnut--Breeding--Ohio; Endothia parasitica--Control--Ohio; Chestnut blight--Control--Ohio; American chestnut--Diseases and pests--Control--Ohio; Reforestation--Ohio

Geographic Coverage

Ohio

Genre/Form

articles

Type

Text

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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