There are a number of chestnut species throughout the world but the American chestnut is only native to the United States. It long provided versatile timber and food for the eastern United States and beyond. After millions of years of robust growth throughout the forests of its range, this species was brought to the brink of extinction through an invasive species. Luckily, there is hope that this remarkable tree will make a comeback.

According to The American Chestnut Foundation, this species was once prevalent throughout the eastern United States with approximately 4 billion trees. It was fast growing, large and tall and provided rot resistant, straight-grained wood suitable for numerous applications. The nut crop it produced was used as food for people, livestock and wildlife. It seemed the chestnut was a resilient tree that would be around forever.

Then the chestnut blight struck. Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent, began killing American chestnuts around the turn of the 20th century. It was accidentally imported from Japan via Japanese nursery stock and was first noticed in 1904. In approximately 40 years the species became functionally extinct. The blight doesn’t, however, kill the root system. Chestnuts have barely endured by sending out stump sprouts that grow well before ultimately succumbing to the blight and dying back, only for the cycle to be repeated. As long as there are chestnut stumps and viable roots, there is a chance this species can be saved.

Through breeding and scientific research TACF has been working to develop a blight-resistant strain of chestnut. There are plantation efforts underway throughout the chestnut’s native range but nothing has proven altogether viable. Through the work of countless volunteers and paid staff, tremendous fundraising and donations, and lots of research, the American chestnut has managed to hang on. But it would have been infinitely preferable to have avoided the situation in the first place. This is why it is critical to prevent invasive species from entering ecosystems and spreading.

One of the best ways to do this is to consult with local nurseries and tree farms to select native species that have been grown in the area. Contact us to discuss what trees that best suite your needs and will have minimal to no negative environmental impact.