Vernon Holt
07-16-2005, 03:03 PM
With the American Chestnut having been brought up on another forum, I thought it might be of interest to some to know more of the saga of the American Chestnut.
Prior to the demise of the Chestnut cir. 1920, this tree constituted about one third of the forest make-up in the mountain Counties of N. Ga. Not only was it numerous, but the versatility of the tree is unequaled today by any other tree.
The wood of the tree was saturated with tannins which rendered it very resistent to decay. Because of this the wood was utilized by early mountain people for many outdoor applications. Logs were split into fence rails which were used to make zig zag "rail fences". These fences were essential in keeping livestock out of cultivated fields. All homes and farm buildings were covered with Chestnut Shakes (shingles) which were hand rived (split) from large blocks of Chestnut. Gardens were fenced with "palings" which is essentially a picket fence with the pickets spaced closely together. The palings were Chestnut. Early bridges were all made with chestnut stringers and decking. In many instances the entire log house was made of hand hewn Chestnut logs. This durable and strong wood would routinely last 50 to 75 years even when fully exposed to the elements.
The wildlife value of this tree was immeasurable. The tree produced heavy crops of nutrient rich nuts. These nuts were relished by every creature of the forest. The nuts had a tough waxy shell which resisted decay. As a result they would lay on the ground without deteriorating until consumed. Nuts might be available to wildlife all winter long. Deer and turkeys would always be in prime condition when taken by hunters.
Livestock was kept on "open range". This means that they were free to forage wherever they found preferred feed. When Chestnuts were dropping, cattle, horses, and hogs would range into mountain areas where nuts were plentiful. Livestock would get slick and fat off of this fare. Hogs fed on Chestnuts was superior to corn fed hogs when butchered.
There was an unlimited market for chestnuts. They were shipped by the barrell to Eastern Markets. Mountain families availed themselves of this opportunity by loading their families, along with suitable containers in the farm wagon and headed to the mountains. They spent the entire day gathering Chestnuts. My Dad related how they would look for a fallen log that lay parallel to the slope. Often they would gather 2 or 3 bushels on the upper side of such a log. Cash from the sale of the nuts provided essentials for the family at a time when cash was hard to come by in the mountains.
It is an understatement to say that the loss of the American Chestnut was catastropic to Mountain People as well as the Wildlife Resource.
Virtually all of the information quoted in this post was related to me by my Father as I was growing up. He grew up in Gilmer County and witnessed first hand the tragic loss of the chestnut.
One of my earliest memories is of riding with my Dad through the mountains and looking at the mass of dead trees, still standing. Things have never been the same in the mountains.
Vernon
Prior to the demise of the Chestnut cir. 1920, this tree constituted about one third of the forest make-up in the mountain Counties of N. Ga. Not only was it numerous, but the versatility of the tree is unequaled today by any other tree.
The wood of the tree was saturated with tannins which rendered it very resistent to decay. Because of this the wood was utilized by early mountain people for many outdoor applications. Logs were split into fence rails which were used to make zig zag "rail fences". These fences were essential in keeping livestock out of cultivated fields. All homes and farm buildings were covered with Chestnut Shakes (shingles) which were hand rived (split) from large blocks of Chestnut. Gardens were fenced with "palings" which is essentially a picket fence with the pickets spaced closely together. The palings were Chestnut. Early bridges were all made with chestnut stringers and decking. In many instances the entire log house was made of hand hewn Chestnut logs. This durable and strong wood would routinely last 50 to 75 years even when fully exposed to the elements.
The wildlife value of this tree was immeasurable. The tree produced heavy crops of nutrient rich nuts. These nuts were relished by every creature of the forest. The nuts had a tough waxy shell which resisted decay. As a result they would lay on the ground without deteriorating until consumed. Nuts might be available to wildlife all winter long. Deer and turkeys would always be in prime condition when taken by hunters.
Livestock was kept on "open range". This means that they were free to forage wherever they found preferred feed. When Chestnuts were dropping, cattle, horses, and hogs would range into mountain areas where nuts were plentiful. Livestock would get slick and fat off of this fare. Hogs fed on Chestnuts was superior to corn fed hogs when butchered.
There was an unlimited market for chestnuts. They were shipped by the barrell to Eastern Markets. Mountain families availed themselves of this opportunity by loading their families, along with suitable containers in the farm wagon and headed to the mountains. They spent the entire day gathering Chestnuts. My Dad related how they would look for a fallen log that lay parallel to the slope. Often they would gather 2 or 3 bushels on the upper side of such a log. Cash from the sale of the nuts provided essentials for the family at a time when cash was hard to come by in the mountains.
It is an understatement to say that the loss of the American Chestnut was catastropic to Mountain People as well as the Wildlife Resource.
Virtually all of the information quoted in this post was related to me by my Father as I was growing up. He grew up in Gilmer County and witnessed first hand the tragic loss of the chestnut.
One of my earliest memories is of riding with my Dad through the mountains and looking at the mass of dead trees, still standing. Things have never been the same in the mountains.
Vernon