How does the restoration of the American chestnut create healthy forests?
The eventual restoration of the American chestnut to its former range benefits all plant and animal species that were historically associated with it, as well as those that exist today. The seeds from the American chestnut are highly nutritional and also provide a more reliable food source for wildlife because the tree blooms later in the year than many other species, rendering it less susceptible to late freezes. The American chestnut was a long-lived tree that was historically susceptible to few insect or disease problems and its wood was also decay resistant. The restoration of this tree will contribute to a healthy forest by increasing species diversity and thus the overall diversity of the forest ecosystem. Biodiversity of keystone tree species, i.e. a species maintaining a significant place in determining the composition of a biological community, is indicative of a healthy forest. Q: How and when were the test trees planted? A: The plantings were established using carefully craf