The American Chestnut

Once Dominant – Now almost Extinct

Surfatech is working with John Ripley Forbes Big Tree Forest Preserve to plant American Chestnut trees. Learn more about our efforts.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT

The American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) was one of the most dominant trees in the eastern United States. This magnificent tree populated the forests of the United States for an estimated 40 million years.  These tress not only provided wood and shelter to animals of the forest, but also provided a food source to animals and people alike. The nuts from the American Chestnut were so popular that they were immortalized by Nat King Cole in the Christmas Classic “Chestnuts Roasting Over an Open Fire”. Unfortunately, Chestnut Blight (Cryphonectria parasotica) was introduced into the United States around 1900 and wiped out the American Chestnut in less than 40 years.

SAVING THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT

Over the years, the growing process of the American Chestnut was studied, perfected, and the yield went from 10 trees in the first year to 80 + in 2020. Chestnut trees do not self-pollinate, therefore several locations in the southeast were selected for this growing process.  As a result of the saplings that will be planted nationwide, we expect the trees to continue to produce fertile nuts at this level for many years to come.

In collaboration with John Ripley Forbes Big Tree Forest Preserve in Sandy Springs, Ga, Surfatech worked to plant 50 trees beginning in Dacula, Georgia. Saplings have since been planted in Eatonton, Monroe, and Greensboro Ga; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Albany, New York.