American Chestnut
ExploreTrees
American Chestnut
Castanea dentata
The American Chestnut tree is famous for its big nuts and tall stature. It used to be very common in forests!
Habitat: Forests and woodlands
Appearance
The American Chestnut has a straight, sturdy trunk and a broad, spreading crown. Its oblong leaves are sharply toothed with a distinctive "sawtooth" edge, often a yellowish-green. In fall, it produces spiny green burrs that split open to reveal shiny, deep-brown nuts.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFagalesFamilyFagaceaeGenusCastanea
Category
TreesRarity
Epic
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
28
Interesting facts
Before a disease, American Chestnuts made up a quarter of eastern US forests!
Its wood was so strong and rot-resistant, it was used for everything from cradles to coffins.
Millions of trees were lost in just a few decades, changing the forest forever!
The blight that devastated the trees arrived from Asia in the early 1900s.
Special abilities
Ability
Bligh Resistance Genes
American Chestnut can develop partial resistance to the blight, allowing some trees to survive longer against the fungus.
Ability
Sprout from the Roots
American Chestnut has the ability to resprout from old root systems, even after the main trunk dies from blight.
Ability
Nutrient Powerhouse
American Chestnut's nuts are packed with carbohydrates and fats, providing vital energy for wildlife and humans.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 20-35 m
- Canopy Spread
- 10-20 m
- Edible
- Yes
- Trunk Diameter
- 100-300 cm
- Lifespan
- 200-600 years
- Fruit Type
- Nut
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
Ecological connections
parasitizes
Chestnut Blight fungus
Cryphonectria parasitica
Causes deadly cankers, killing the tree.
eats
Eastern grey squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Relies on its protein-rich nuts for food.
eats
White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Browses on leaves and consumes fallen nuts.
eats
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
Feeds on nuts, an important food source.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
Chestnut Tree
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is American Chestnut?
20-35 m
How wide does American Chestnut spread?
10-20 m
Is American Chestnut edible?
Yes
How big is American Chestnut?
100-300 cm
How long does American Chestnut live?
200-600 years
Where is American Chestnut usually found?
Forests and woodlands
What kind of fruit does American Chestnut produce?
Nut
How fast does American Chestnut grow?
Fast
Snap Map
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