Chestnuts at Lasdon

Did you know that there has been ongoing scientific research at Lasdon Park and Arboretum since 1993? Take a walk on the grounds near the Chinese Pavilion parking lot. Fenced in are acres of the American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata). In April 1993 the park agreed to be an official chestnut research area by planting and maintaining 200 chestnut trees.

Before the Europeans came to America, the native peoples were eating chestnuts for protein and fat. The colonists used the trees for furniture. This majestic tree was native from Maine to Georgia. It was an important commercial tree because of its rot-resistant lumber, the number of edible nuts produced and its ability to repopulate clear-cut areas quickly.

In early 1900’s, a fungal blight killed almost all the chestnut trees in their native range. By 1950 99% of all chestnut trees were reduced to stumps. It is believed that the fungus was transported into America on Oriental chestnut trees (Castanea mollissima). These trees are naturally immune to the fungus, but it was lethal to our native chestnuts. The infested trees develop cankers on the stems and branches. This fungus was first discovered in the Bronx Zoo in New York City.

Here at Lasdon we maintain these chestnut trees. Researchers come and collect fruit for seeds and continue to plant more chestnut trees. It is hoped that mixing some of the genetic material of the fungus-immune Asian chestnut trees with the American chestnut tree genetic material that we may once again have this majestic tree in our towns.