is often found in mixture with White Pine, with which it may often be 

 grown in plantations. Throughout its range the Chestnut enters largely 

 into the composition of most second-growth hardwood forests. Near the 

 northern and western limits of its range the tree, besides being smaller 

 in size, sprouts less freely from the stump. The region where planting 

 or systematic management will pay is about the same as the natural 

 range of the tree, or may be extended to a limited distance beyond that 

 range. In the Northeastern States the tree may be depended upon to 

 thrive almost anywhere south of the forty-fourth parallel of latitude in 

 the soils which are suited to it. 



MANNER OF OCCURRENCE CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWTH. 



Within the limits of its range the Chestnut occurs either singly or in 

 scattered groups or groves, usually most abundant on the high, gravelly, 

 well-drained hillsides and ridges, and seldom in pure stands. 



Chestnuts grown in the forest vary greatly in general form and habit 

 from those grown in parks, pastures, and other open places. The for- 

 est tree soon loses its lower branches and develops a tall, tapering 

 trunk, adapted for telegraph poles, ties, and for general use as lumber. 

 But when grown in the open and given plenty of room, it develops a 

 broad, spreading crown, and short, thick trunk. 



The Chestnut's rate of growth is the most rapid of any of our truly 

 valuable hardwood trees. Seedlings usually attain a height of 10 to 15 

 inches the first year and continue growing at the rate of 15 to 20 inches 

 per annum for twenty to thirty years. Sprouts grow even more rapidly 

 than this, often attaining a height of 4 to 6 feet the first year, and in 

 twenty to twenty-five years make timber large enough for ties and poles. 

 After thirty years, however, the rapid growth ceases. In New Jersey a 

 Chestnut is recorded which had a diameter of 60 inches when 70 years 

 old. In the same State several trees 35 years old ranged from 24 up to 

 34 inches in diameter, with a height of 40 to 50 feet. The average rate 

 of growth is, of course, far less than the above. It varies according to 

 the nature of the soil, the thinner soils being less favorable to rapid 

 growth than rich upland soil. 



The root system spreads out extensively, but no deep tap root is 

 developed. This makes transplanting less difficult than with many 

 other nut-bearing trees. The Chestnut is rather intolerant of shade. 



THE WOOD ITS ECONOMIC USES. 



The wood is light, rather soft, coarse-grained, and inflexible, the sap- 

 wood white, the heartwood darker brown. The wood shrinks and 

 checks considerably in drying, splits and works easily, and because of 

 the tannic acid it contains is very durable in contact with the soil. It 

 is used in cabinet work, cooperage, for interior finishing, fence posts, 

 telegraph poles, and cross-ties. About 5 per cent of the railroad ties 

 in the United States are of Chestnut. The original Chestnut forests 



