214 



THE BOOK OF FORESTRY 



CHESTOTT 



Another important nut tree is the chestnut. On 

 account of its rapid growth, and its durability in con- 

 tact with the soil the chestnut has been highly prized 

 for fence posts, railroad ties, etc. The chestnut disease, 

 due to a fungus called Endothea parasitica, seems to 

 attack mature trees as well as young sprouts with great 

 violence and already this valuable species has been 

 largely killed in certain parts of its range. The future 

 is decidedly uncertain but for the present the planting 

 of any chestnut seems unwise. 



CHESTNUT 

 Castanea dentata 



BARK" 



Smooth and dark gray on young 

 trees. On older trees becomes 

 darker and divided into flat ridges. 



LEAVES 



Oblong," 6"-8" long, 2" wide, sharp 

 pointed. 



FRUIT 



A burr covered with sharp spines con- 

 taining 13 nuts. 



RANGE 



Maine to Southern Michigan, to Cen- 

 tral Alabama and Mississippi. 



There is another member of this family the chin- 

 quapin found from Southern Pennsylvania to Florida 

 and Eastern Texas. It is by no means an important 

 tree. 



