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American chestnut

Scientific Name: Castanea dentata

Family: Fagaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Tree

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: KY (American chestnut), ME (American chestnut), MI

       

American Chestnut (Castanea dentata)

The American chestnut, Castanea dentata, was once a dominant tree species in eastern North American forests before being decimated by an exotic fungus in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Efforts are underway to restore this iconic tree to its native range through scientific breeding and genetic modification.

Considerations for Pets

  • The American chestnut produces nuts, which may be a choking hazard for some pets if ingested whole.

Considerations for Children

  • The American chestnut produces nuts, which may be a choking hazard for young children if ingested whole.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Castanea dentata
  • Common Name: American Chestnut
  • Family: Beech family (Fagaceae)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to eastern North America.
  • Historically, it dominated forests from Georgia to Maine and was a major feature of the Appalachian forests.
  • The world's largest remaining stand of American chestnut is reportedly in Wisconsin.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • The American chestnut is a large, monoecious deciduous tree.
  • Historically, it reached heights of 80 to 120 feet (approximately 30 meters). However, trees in Ontario are now typically smaller.

Ecological Role

  • Before the blight, American chestnut trees shaped the forest ecosystem, providing food and habitat for wildlife.
  • The species is now considered ecologically extinct.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The American chestnut was decimated by an exotic fungus, which caused a blight.

Further Information

  • The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF)
  • The American Chestnut Cooperators' Foundation
  • National American Chestnut Foundation
  • Yvonne C. Barkley. Alternative Tree Crops Information Series No. 2. University of Idaho College of Natural Resources. January, 2007.