Once referred to as “the Lords of the Forest,” American Chestnut trees were a dominant feature of the Appalachian landscape, stretching for miles and towering over the forests. These majestic trees were integral to the ecosystem, providing food and shelter for wildlife, as well as a valuable resource for people. However, in 1904, a devastating accident introduced the Asian Chestnut Blight, a fungal disease that began to ravage the trees at an alarming rate. Within just a few decades, the once-abundant American Chestnut trees were nearly wiped out, leaving a void in the forest that would never be the same.
The blight spread rapidly, decimating millions of trees by the 1920s. Despite efforts to fight the disease, the species was effectively rendered functionally extinct, leaving behind a stark reminder of the fragility of nature and the irreversible effects of human intervention. Once a vital part of the ecosystem, the American Chestnut tree's disappearance marked a tragic loss not only for the natural world but for the communities who relied on its wood and nuts.
This photograph, taken around 1905, captures young women posing inside a draw cut on an American Chestnut tree, offering a glimpse of the grandeur and scale of these trees before their tragic decline. As we look back on this image, it serves as a poignant reminder of the trees’ former glory and the impact of the Chestnut Blight. The loss of the American Chestnut remains a key moment in environmental history, urging us to recognize the importance of conservation and the need to protect our natural heritage from irreversible damage.
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It was impressive how nicely folks would dress up for even outdoor events.

Nice pic. Love the big trees.

The giant cedars here are impressive too. Ten feet circumference and more. Giant hemlocks too. My favorites.

Nothing on earth like sitting quietly amongst stands of huge cedars and hemlocks. Even western tamaracks get very large here. Only in the northern parts of MT and ID . Then on the coast of WA down to N. CA. and up into BC . Thanks, Bruce.

I figured it was lady’s were just smaller back then. It was nice to see them all dressed up, I noticed in Mexico on my last trip Friday nights the girls are all dressed up in their best it looked like, at least a lot of them.

wws

The cedars out by you are impressive Sharon! You aren't too far from Ross Creek are you?

Zim

A modern day example would be the emerald ash borer.

NOT to bash fishermen, but I think fresh water sport fishing is introducing more destructive invasive species, than foreign ships moving through the great lakes and North American rivers. It's probably going on all throughout the world. Certainly not all are destructive. I kinda like pheasant hunting.

That looks more like a PNW tree to me.

Why was the cut so high? Why not closer to ground?

I don’t know why the cut them so high but have seen pictures of the chestnut stumps hollowed out and roofed as sheds or small dwellings so they must have been pretty large.

hey there , Zim ,

Yessir, Ross cedars is just up the road from me. There are some in the forests and wilderness area here too. They used to be all over in the region, but old time logging took many out. There are some areas that have the big ones left, as well as private owned land.

Thats right I remember you once lived on that road . You called the area , the best of both worlds. In remote and small town amenities. Youre right. That area is the best .