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By LYT WOOD
County Formter
Once upon a time, the American Chestnut was a dominant timber-sized tree in the forest of Rappahannock. A few comments on the past, present, and future status of the Chestnut in our forest ecology may be appropriate for the upcoming Arbor Day; many have joined in the spirit of Arbor Day by purchasing Asiatic Chestnuts, which are to be distributed through the Extension Office at Washington.
Actually, it was the improving of this same "Chinese Chestnut” that indirectly caused the downfall of the once-powerful native American species. This was, of course, a tremendous shock to the ecology of our forests and the livelihoods of the American people. (Remember that “ecology” is a term dealing with the complex relationships of organisms with each other and their environment. So, the concept of ecology is much less provincial than our notions of such things as returnable bottles and solar heat panels.)
The fruit of the American type of chestnut was small, but was considered to be sweeter than that of any other variety. Thus, in years gone by, our tree was commonly known as the “American Sweet Chestnut.” The Sweet Chestnut stands formed a basis for the economy and ecology of Appalachain forests in many ways:
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