The Story of the American Chestnut
A Giant in the Forest
For centuries, the American Chestnut dominated the forests of the eastern United States. Reaching heights of over 100 feet and producing a bounty of sweet, nutritious nuts, it was a cornerstone of wildlife habitat and rural life. Its strong, rot-resistant wood built homes, barns, and furniture. Entire communities marked the seasons by the ripening of chestnuts.
The Tree That Fed a Nation
Every autumn, the forests came alive with the sound of chestnuts falling. People gathered them by the bushel to eat fresh, roast over fires, or sell at markets. Wildlife — from deer to turkeys to bears — depended on the chestnut’s annual harvest for winter survival. It wasn’t just a tree; it was a lifeline.
The Blight Arrives
​In 1904, a foreign fungus accidentally introduced from imported trees began spreading. It attacked the bark, cutting off nutrients and water. Within decades, the once-mighty American Chestnut was reduced to small, stump-sprouting shoots. By the mid-20th century, over 4 billion trees had been lost — a true ecological tragedy.
The Fight to Save It
Scientists, conservationists, and tree lovers refused to give up. Breeding programs began crossing the surviving American Chestnuts with blight-resistant varieties, working to preserve the beauty, strength, and productivity of the original tree. This decades-long effort gave rise to the American Hybrid Chestnut — a tree with the heart of the original, and the resilience to survive.
A Second Chance
​Today, restoration efforts are bringing the chestnut back to our forests. Every tree planted is a step toward restoring a lost piece of our natural heritage. By planting one, you’re joining a movement to return a beloved giant to the landscapes it once ruled.
Help write the next chapter in the chestnut's store.