Remnant American Chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.; Fagaceae) in Upland Forests of Northwestern New York

Abstract

The American chestnut (Castanea dentata [Marsh.] Borkh.; Fagaceae) was an historically important hardwood species in eastern deciduous forests of the United States and Canada prior to being nearly eradicated by chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr). Several remnant populations have been identified persisting across fragmented parts of the historical range. The identification and characterization of remnant C. dentata populations is important for breeding and conservation efforts, as they may represent potential genetic sources of local adaptation or blight resistance, but much of the historical range remains unsurveyed. Here, I report the locations, blight infection status, and reproductive status of remnant American chestnut in upland forested areas of western New York, finding several reproductive/potentially reproductive trees.