Natural Resources - American Chestnut Trees

Cape Cod's pre-colonial, forest was comprised primarily of oak, pine, beech, sassafras and lesser amounts of American chestnut (Castanea dentate). During the late 1800's, the American chestnut was the most dominate hardwood tree species in the Eastern United States comprising approximately 25% of the eastern, deciduous hardwood forest. When the chestnut blight arrived in 1904, it virtually eliminated the species as a forest tree; some have survived, although mostly as small trees or shrubs.

The Canal has two small surviving American chestnut trees along the Bournedale Hills Trail. In an effort to restore the Chestnut to its previous range throughout the Canal, we are partnering with the Massachusset Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation. Through our cooperation, we are attempting to cross-pollinate the native Bournedale trees with advanced research pollen in order to breed blight resistant progeny. We are attempting to plant a regional cross-pollinating orchard behind the Midway Recreation area for native American chestnut trees. We have planted a demonstration plot at the Sagamore marsh to display the devastating effects of the chestnut blight on native American chestnut trees. Additional information about the American chestnut can be found at: http://www.acf.org/.