A century ago, the magnificent American Chestnut tree was widespread throughout the forests of the eastern United States.

The wood was useful (it was used widely as siding for houses, and many split-rail fences were made from chestnut),

as it resisted weathering better than many other woods. The nuts served as food for many species, including humans.

Sadly, a fungus introduced from Asia decimated the American Chestnut, starting in New England in the 1920's and sweeping southward in

the 1930's. I have a vivid recollection as a small boy in western North Carolina, standing with my father under a dying chestnut tree as he

searched for nuts. Apparently he had collected some nuts the year before, and I remember the sadness in his voice as he said

the tree was gone. That was probably in 1938.

Interestingly, the fungus kills only the part of the tree above ground. Some roots still survive today, sending up shoots

that may grow to 4 inches in diameter or so before they are killed off by the "blight". The tree from which this vase was made

survived unusually long before succumbing; I counted 45 or 46 annual growth rings in the 7.5" trunk.

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