34 



CHESTNUT IN TENNESSEE. 



SUMMARY. 



Chestnut is one of the most widely distributed trees of Tennes- 

 see, and the most important tree in the mountains of the eastern 

 portion of the State, occupying large areas of land which have a 

 low agricultural value. 



The great number of uses to which the wood is put enables ex- 

 tremely close utilization not only of all portions of sound trees, in- 

 cluding limbs and bark, but also a large amount of more or less 

 defective wood. Small trees are used for poles, posts, and ties; 

 large, sound trees for lumber and shingles. Tops and low-grade 

 wood are used for tannic extract, fuel wood, and paper pulp stock. 



Chestnut is not only a tree of rapid growth, but reproduces 

 easily from seed and vigorous and abundant sprouts even from large 

 old stumps. It forms pure stands or large, pure groups over exten- 

 sive areas, permitting cheap utilization, and makes heavy yields at 

 an early age. Under average conditions of growth, yields of 40 cords 

 of tannic acid extract wood; or more than 300 No. 1 (7-in. by 9-in. 

 by 8.5-ft.) ties; or 90 large poles; or 10,000 board feet of lumber, 

 can be obtained per acre within 50 years from unthinned but pro- 

 tected second-growth stands. When logged for poles, lumber, or 

 ties, about 13 cords of extract wood can also be obtained. If the 



