Castanea dentata
American Chestnut
A century ago the country’s population of American Chestnut was devastated by a blight fungus. Before its demise, the American Chestnut was one of the fastest growing, tallest and most versatile trees for lumber. It also provided habitat and food for many wildlife. The decline of the American Chestnut remains one of the greatest ecological disasters in forest history. Four American Chestnuts are planted in the Woodland Walk to demonstrate this now rare species that once dominated Eastern forests. Notice the shining silver-gray bark and the long beautiful toothed leaves. The Arboretum recently planted two small “Dunstan” variety Chestnuts, a cross between the American Chestnut and the blight-resistant Chinese Chestnut. The Arboretum, among other organizations, has been working to revive American Chestnuts by stewarding blight-resistant varieties.