[Magdalen] This is nuts

[Grace Cangialosi]

The very sad part of the story is that before the blight the chestnut formed almost the base of the economy in these mountains. The wood is rot-resistant and was used to build cabins, fences, etc. The nuts, of course, provided food for animals and were also a cash crop. The bark was used by factories that tanned leather. 
All of that ended with the blight, and the whole economy shifted. I think that's one reason it was easier for the government to come in and take people's land for the park, though they probably would have anyway. But if the mountain economy had been stronger and people hadn't been so poor by then, they might have put up a stronger fight.

> On Feb 24, 2017, at 10:51 AM, Cantor03--- via Magdalen <magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> In a message dated 2/24/2017 9:30:15 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
> gracecan at gmail.com writes:
> 
> They are  crossing them with the blight-resistant Chinese  
> Chestnuts>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> 
> 
> This is being done by the American Chestnut Society in a big way.   
> Seedlings are available
> at times to members.  I've been tempted, but I really have no good  space 
> for such a tree
> here.  I do know that my property did at one time have American  Chestnuts 
> because there
> are a couple of tell-tale sprouters on the property.  These get about  10' 
> in height, and then
> wilt from the blight.
> 
> The American Chestnut was a co-dominant locally, with the oaks, and that in 
> the spring
> when the trees bloomed, it looked as though the mountain ranges were snow  
> covered.
> Though I will not see it, I do look forward to the day when the blight  
> resistant chestnuts
> are returned to these mountains.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> David S.