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More than 100 concerned people turned out Saturday to learn what they
can do to revive a long-forgotten cash crop and source of lumber.
The American chestnut tree is described as "one of the most
magnificent trees" in the history of the country because it was ideal
for lumber, and its fruit was used as a crop, said Kyle Yancey of
Austell, who is trying to reintroduce the tree.
A chestnut blight from Asia struck in
1904 causing the trees to die, Don Davis, sociology professor at
Dalton State College, said.
Chestnut trees will still grow in the Southeast, but only until they
are about 7 years old and mature enough for the blight to affect
them, Davis said.
Georgia residents went to Fort
Mountain in hopes to begin a state chapter of the American Chestnut
Foundation. The foundation, which already has chapters in 10 states,
works to make the American chestnut tree thrive in the forests once
again by developing a blight-resistant tree.
"We've been fortunate to have the enthusiasm we've had," said Jerry
Smith of Dalton, who along with his wife, Diane, is trying to help
form the Georgia chapter.
"We didn't even expect this many
people to turn out today," Smith said.
To be a provisional chapter the foundation needs about 10 new members
to join, said Diane Smith.
"I think after today we may have
enough," she said. "Then we only need about 40 more to be a full
chapter."
It is important for Georgia to have a chapter because the state is
behind in the efforts to reintroduce the tree, Diane Smith said.
"It's time Georgia got on the bandwagon," she said. "Georgia is just
getting in on the tail end of this effort."
In an ideal state, the American chestnut can grow five feet a year,
Davis said, but there are not many that live without being affected
by the blight. Those that do live to bloom are used in developing the
blight-resistant tree, he said.
Members of the foundation work to identify trees growing in forests
that potentially could bloom, Davis said.
They also try to find land for and help plant orchards, he said.
Diane Smith said she hopes some orchards are started in Georgia like
ones already in Virginia.
Mary Price of Dalton donated money for the foundation to buy a
91-acre farm in Virginia for research and said she wants to continue
helping in Georgia.
"Before my husband died he got interested in this program," Price
said. "He wanted to donate land so when he died I carried out his
wishes."
Price said she is interested in the foundation because of the
interest her husband had.
"I will be a member if we get a chapter started in Georgia," she
said. "I've never sweated for the tree, but I do what I can to help."
Diane Smith said reintroducing the trees is going to take many years
because of the process scientists must go through to produce the
blight-resistant variety.
"We're not even going to see these trees in all their glory and
splendor, but we want to leave something on this earth for our
children and grandchildren," Diane Smith said. |
