Castenea dentata
Owner: Doug Persall
Nominator: Ethan Persall
Height: 27 m (88.6 ft)
Diameter: 67.04 cm (26 in)
Circumference: 210.5 cm (83 in)
Description
The American Chestnut was once a prominent tree in the broadleaf forests of eastern North America until it was wiped out by Chestnut blight, brought over from Asia in the early 1900s. It is now a rare species and considered endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Though rare, it can still be found growing on well-drained sandy soils, often from stump sprouts. It is easily recognized by its long, tapered leaves with veins that end in prominent teeth, and by its edible nuts which are found in small clusters of 1 to 5 with a spiny bur-like husk. For more information on this rare, yet valuable species, visit the Canadian Chestnut Council website.