Chapter 1_LITERATURE REVIEW

For many years the American chestnut [Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.] was one of the most prized trees in the eastern United States. It not only provided food and shelter for wildlife, but was highly valued by people. The American chestnut was a relatively fast growing, rot-resistant hardwood. The lumber was highly valued for building, and it provided a plentiful supply of sweet chestnuts that were used in various foods. Furthermore, chestnut tree bark provided tannins, which were used in leather processing. Perhaps the greatest value however was the majestic presence of these very beautiful shade trees in our landscape, and timber trees in our hardwood forests. Unfortunately in the early part of the 20 century the chestnut blight fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica (Murrill) Barr [=Endothia parasitica (Murr.) P.J. and H.W. Anderson], was introduced into Bronx, New York on nursery stock from Asia. Within 50 years the fungus had spread throughout the natural range of American chestnut, destroying nearly all American chestnut trees. Today the once magnificent American chestnut tree survives predominantly as an understory tree species.