214 THE BOOK OF FORESTRY 
CHESTNUT 
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. 
E'RuiT 
A burr covered with sharp spines con- 
taining I-3 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 Hastern Texas. It is by no means an important 
tree. 
