Before the late 1800s, the American Chestnut tree grew abundantly across the eastern U.S. This magnificent shade tree with oblong, jagged-edged leaves was highly prized for its timber. It also produced nutritious nuts in spiky shells that served as an important food source for wildlife, as well as for livestock and people. Before 1900, a fungal parasite known as the American Chestnut Blight was accidentally imported to the U.S. eventually killing most of our Chestnut trees. An estimated 4 billion trees were wiped out by 1950. 

Restoration efforts are underway that may bring Chestnuts back into our forests with adaptations that allow them to survive the Blight. The American Chestnut Foundation grows these trees using a method called ‘backcross breeding.’ This allows them to select for blight resistance and other specific traits. NH Audubon partnered with the New Hampshire/Vermont chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation, and with our neighbors at St. Paul’s School, to plant a demonstration Chestnut grove right here on the Silk Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. In front of you is an area with four blight-resistant trees, all planted in 2016 and growing well. 

Reader: Chris Martin