American chestnut was once one of the most important trees in eastern forests, with straight trunks, toothed leaves, and edible nuts. Chestnut blight, introduced in the early 1900s, killed nearly all mature trees.
Habitat and range
In Maryland, American chestnut was a major component of mountain and piedmont forests. Today, blight-resistant sprouts still grow from old stumps and roots, but they rarely reach maturity before being killed back.
Uses and significance
The wood was used for lumber, poles, and tannin. Nuts were a major food source for people and wildlife. Breeding programs and blight-resistant hybrids offer hope for restoring the species to the landscape.