American Chestnut
Castanea Dentata Identification
Angiosperm or Gymnosperm: The American Chestnut is characterized as an Angiosperm. Natural Habitat: The American Chestnut is native to eastern North American ("American,"n.d). Leaf Pattern: The leaf pattern of the American Chestnut are long-pointed leaves that are sharply toothed; dentata. Leaves array between 5 to 8 inches long with shades of yellow, gold and brown during the fall ("American Chestnut Fact Sheet," n.d). Type of Seeds: The fruit form very sharp, prickly burrs 2 to 2.5 inches long, each containing 2 or 3 shiny, round, brown sweet nuts 1/2 to 1 inch long. The type of seeds is classified as being a chestnut ("American Chestnut Fact Sheet," n.d). Germination Process: Seeds germinate in late winter or early spring, but the life length is short. If kept moist, they can be stored in a cool place for a few months, but must be checked regularly for signs of germination ("American," n.d). Symbiotic Relationships: Insects such as caterpillars and Japanese beetles habit the American Chestnut, and if not controlled can be hazardous to the tree. The Chestnut gall wasp will occasionally habit the American Chestnut and can affect shoot growth ("Pets,"n.d). Type of Bark: Its bark is light gray, with broad, flat ridges and fissures that often form a spiral around the trunk ("American Chestnut Fact Sheet," n.d). Ethnobotany:
Chestnut wood was used to make furniture, shingles, siding, telephone poles, and fence posts. while the chestnuts themselves were also a very important food source for people as well as livestock and wildlife. also, currently the leaves and bark of the plant are used to make medicine ("American Chestnut," n.d). Current Research
In current news the American Chestnut was removed as being a forest tree by chestnut light. Hybrid-backcross breeding between blight-resistant Chinese Chestnut and the American Chestnut is used to support species restoration (Saielli, et al, 2012). However, evidence suggests that backcross material may not have the cold hardiness needed for restoration in the northern portions of the species' range (Saielli,et al, 2012). The nuts have a high tolerance for the cold, and this raises concern. The reproductive tissues are particularly sensitive to freezing damage (Saielli,et al, 2012). Saieeli, el al, article found that the Chinese chestnuts were less cold tolerant compared to the red oak nuts. They also evaluated how sources varied among temperature zone. As a conclusion sources from the cold temperature zone were more cold tolerant and less variable in hardiness than sources from warm and moderate zones (Saielli, et al, 2012). Summary of Information
American Chestnut, historical and ancient. Characterized as being an Angiosperm. Chestnuts, seeds that are shiny, brown and taste sweet, grow from this tree. They are native to eastern North American and have been used to make furniture and medicate the sick. The bark, light gray color, with a unique texture and spiral structure, form as a habitat for caterpillars, Japanese beetles, and Chestnut gall wasp. Dentata leaves,sharply toothed and as long as a can of soda, with shades of yellow, gold and brown during the fall. Their germination process is from late winter to spring, and have a short life span, but if kept in cool moist conditions, they can last for a few more months. |
References:
American Chestnut History. (n.d) retrieved October 22, 2013, from The Forestry Outreach Site Web Site: http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/forsite/paul/paul1.htm
American Chestnut. (n.d) retrieved October 22, 2013, from Webmd Web Site: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-274-AMERICAN%20CHESTNUT.aspx?activeIngredientId=274&activeIngredientName=AMERICAN%20CHESTNUT
Pets and Disease. (n.d) retrieved October 23, 2013, from Empire Chestnut Company Web Site: http://www.empirechestnut.com/faqpests.htm
American Chestnut Fact Sheet. (n.d) retrieved October 23, 2013, from Tree Topics Web Site: http://www.treetopics.com/castanea_dentata/
American Chestnut. (n.d) retrieved October 25, 2013, from Encyclopedia of Life Web Site: http://eol.org/pages/1148514/overview/
Saielli, T. M., Schaberg, P. G., Hawley, G. J., Halman, J. M., & Gurney, K. M. (2012). Nut cold hardiness as a factor influencing the restoration of American chestnut in northern latitudes and high elevations. Canadian Journal Of Forest Research, 42(5), 849-857. doi:10.1139/x2012-033
American Chestnut History. (n.d) retrieved October 22, 2013, from The Forestry Outreach Site Web Site: http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/forsite/paul/paul1.htm
American Chestnut. (n.d) retrieved October 22, 2013, from Webmd Web Site: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-274-AMERICAN%20CHESTNUT.aspx?activeIngredientId=274&activeIngredientName=AMERICAN%20CHESTNUT
Pets and Disease. (n.d) retrieved October 23, 2013, from Empire Chestnut Company Web Site: http://www.empirechestnut.com/faqpests.htm
American Chestnut Fact Sheet. (n.d) retrieved October 23, 2013, from Tree Topics Web Site: http://www.treetopics.com/castanea_dentata/
American Chestnut. (n.d) retrieved October 25, 2013, from Encyclopedia of Life Web Site: http://eol.org/pages/1148514/overview/
Saielli, T. M., Schaberg, P. G., Hawley, G. J., Halman, J. M., & Gurney, K. M. (2012). Nut cold hardiness as a factor influencing the restoration of American chestnut in northern latitudes and high elevations. Canadian Journal Of Forest Research, 42(5), 849-857. doi:10.1139/x2012-033