Reintroducing the Threatened American Chestnut to Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Two American chestnut whips in front of park headquarters, enclosed by protective fencing.

NPS Photo / Anna Tripp

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts has acquired ten 100% American chestnuts. The trees have been planted in various locations throughout the park, notably four each in the area around park headquarters and the Woodland Wildlife Sanctuary. Integrated Resource Program Manager Edgar Deskins expects a 50% survival rate!

Why is this Important?

The American chestnut was once a dominant tree of the eastern U.S., known for its rot-resistant wood and ample production of wildlife-supporting chestnuts. While it was nearly wiped out by disease, survivors still exist today at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts as well as in other parks within the National Capital Region.

Small orange bark cankers indicate chestnut blight infection.

NPS Photo / Vicky Somma

The Deadly Disease

The American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata) once occupied forests as far south as central Alabama, west through Tennessee, and as far north as Maine and southern Ontario. In some forests, they made up more than half the mass of living trees.

In 1904, however, the non-native chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica) was introduced and quickly spread through the forests of the eastern U.S. By 1950, almost all American chestnuts in their native range were dead. However, because the blight fungus does not kill the root system of trees, American chestnuts persist today in natural areas as re-sprouts from blight-free root systems.

Nothing but Hope

Restoration of American chestnuts to long-term, self-sustaining, and naturally reproducing populations is still a far-off goal. Since the near devastation caused by the blight, university scientists, non-profit organizations, and others have worked to create hybrid, blight-resistant chestnut trees and to find naturally resistant survivors. In 2009, the National Park Service signed a memorandum of understanding with The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), allowing parks to “assist TACF in its goal of restoring American chestnut to the forests of the eastern United States” and giving preference to the NPS as a “most favored recipient” of chestnut trees offered by TACF.

American chestnut fruit, where the nuts are enclosed in the bur, the round spiny cover.

NPS Photo / Erin Lance Willett

Wolf Trap's Restoration Efforts

The ten American chestnut whips (unbranched trees) were planted in groups of two during November 2024. Their expected growth rate is three feet per year, and they will start producing nuts in 10 years (two trees are required for nut production). Additionally, the 29 surviving trees found during the 2014 survey will continue to be monitored by the National Capital Region Network, Inventory & Monitoring program (NCRN I&M).

"The American chestnut remains a symbol of both the loss of biodiversity due to human actions and the potential for restoration and recovery through scientific advancement, which we are thrilled to take part in." -Edgar Deskins

Learn More

View the complete results from the 2014 American chestnut inventory!