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American Chestnut
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This native tree that once covered a third of the Appalachians was
destroyed by a pest fungus introduced in the 1900's, now leaving none large
enough to sexually reproduce. Splitting bark indicates presence of the
disease.
Chestnuts now spread only by root suckers or by sprouting from the stumps of dead trees. They used to reach heights of 100 ft., but now grows to around 20 ft. BUDS: Blunt; false end buds; few scales TWIGS: Green and slender; hairless BARK: Many flat and wide, shiny ridges; dark gray-brown HABITAT: Well-drained forests USES: The lumber was once valuable and was used for making furniture, instruments, caskets, and fences. The bark provided tannin. The edible chestnuts are commercially sold. Strains of blight-resistant chestnuts are being developed for ornamental and shade use. |