So You Think You Found an American Chestnut Tree?

leaf comparison

chestnut burs

This page is designed to help you distinguish among several species of the chestnut family (Castanea) commonly seen in North America. Also included are three non-chestnut species that are often confused with chestnut.

Click on the names on the right to see examples and characteristics of the common species of chestnut or chestnut look-alikes.

A good place to start is to compare American and Chinese chestnuts. Over 80% of the leaves that are sent to us each year for identification are either from Chinese chestnuts or Chinese/American hybrids, because these trees are resistant to the chestnut blight. Also compare true American chestnut with three trees often confused with chestnut: chestnut oak, beech, and horsechestnut.

Print A Tree Identification Sheet

TO SEND US A LEAF & TWIG SAMPLE:

  1. If you think you have an American chestnut tree, send us a freshly-cut 4-6 inch twig with mature leaves attached.
  2. Press leaves between cardboard to flatten and prevent curling or crushing as it dries.
  3. To prevent mold, do not put the sample into a plastic bag. Crushed or bent leaves are much harder to analyze, as are leaves that are not freshly collected.
  4. Spring or summer is the best time to collect samples for identification purposes.
  5. Please be sure to include a note with your name, return address and email adddress (if you have one), so we can keep track of your sample and send you results. Results can take up to 3 - 6 weeks, depending where they are analyzed. You will get your results by mail or email.
  6. Please do not send TACF a sample from these states OR, CA or WA.
    These states have a plant quarantine, contact a local Forester for ID.

 

Where to Send Samples
If your sample is from New Jersey, send to:
Tony Rosati
3 Scenic Way
Middletown, NJ 07748
If your sample is from Maryland, send to:
Gary Carver
3501 Big Woods Road
Ijamsville, MD 21754-9421
If your sample is from Pennsylvania, send to:
Dave Armstrong
691 Pumping Station Road
Hanover, PA 17331
or
Sara Fitzsimmons
206 Forest Resources Lab
University Park, PA 28801
If your sample is from New York, send to:
Dr. Richard Zander
Missouri Botanical Garden
PO Box 299
St. Louis, MO 63166-0299
If your sample is from New England , send to:
Kendra Gurney
New England Regional Science Coordinator
Northern Research Station, US Forest Service
705 Spear Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
If your sample is from VA, WV, KY, OH, or IN,
send to:
Dr. Bob Paris
TACF Meadowview Research Farms
14005 Glenbrook Avenue
Meadowview, VA 24361-3349
 
If your sample is from NC, SC, TN, AL or GA ,
send to:
Dr. Paul Sisco
Southern Appalachian Science Coordinator
One Oak Plaza, Suite 308
Asheville, NC 28801

Canadian Residents -
Please contact the
Canadian Chestnut Council http://www.uoguelph.ca/~chestnut/
Please do not ship sample to TACF.

All other samples may be sent to:

 
 
Sara Fitzsimmons
TACF Northern Appalachian Science Coordinator
206 Forest Resources Lab
University Park, PA 28801
 

or

The American Chestnut Foundation
Attn: Michele Morgan-Krall
469 Main St., P.O. Box 4044
Bennington, VT 05201
 
 
 

Questions about sending a leaf sample?
Contact Michele