American Chestnut

Species information

This chapter provides a review of progress towards the protection and recovery of American Chestnut in Ontario from 2007 to 2017.

American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) is a deciduous canopy tree in the Fagaceae or Beech family, and the only species in the genus Castanea that is native to Canada. It can grow up to 30 metres tall and has a trunk that is up to 1.5 metres in diameter. The bark is smooth and dark brown/olive in colour, and separates into broad flat topped ridges with age. The leaves of the American Chestnut are hairless, with coarsely serrated edges and a long pointed tip; at maturity, they are 15 to 30 centimetres long and 5 to 10 centimetres wide. American Chestnuts cannot self-pollinate and rely on insects for pollination. The fruit is a spiny bur-like husk enclosing one to three edible nuts which are distributed and eaten by mammals and birds. Historically, the American Chestnut was a dominant tree species in dry, upland deciduous forests throughout northeastern North America. It had economic and cultural importance for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples as a food source and a cash crop. The rot-resistant wood was used extensively for lumber production while the tannins were extracted for the leather industry.

American Chestnut occurs in forest or woodland habitats typically dominated by oak (Quercus spp.) or maple (Acer spp.) with canopy cover exceeding 70 percent and acidic sand and gravel soils. In Canada, American Chestnut only occurs in the Carolinian Zone of Ontario. The current geographic extent of the natural distribution of American Chestnut remains similar to the historic distribution; however, the population has experienced such a severe decline that individual trees are often geographically isolated and unable to cross-pollinate.

Across its North American range, American Chestnut has undergone a significant population decline due to the chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica), which was accidentally introduced in the early 1900s and killed 99 percent of the trees within approximately 30 years. American Chestnut has no natural resistance to the fungus, and the population in Ontario is currently less than one percent of the population prior to introduction of the fungus (1.5 to 2 million trees). Other threats to the American Chestnut population include habitat loss from forest clearing and damage to trees that occurs during logging operations. These threats are relatively minor in comparison to the impact of the chestnut blight and the uncertainty around the feasibility and effectiveness of blight control measures and methods of intervention.

American Chestnut is listed as endangered at both the provincial level (Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List) and federal level (Schedule 1 under the Species at Risk Act). Globally, it is considered to be apparently secure (NatureServe Explorer).

Provincial status

Prior to the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA or “the Act”) the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) assessed American Chestnut as endangered. Following this assessment, American Chestnut was listed as threatened in 2004 and endangered in 2005, but was not regulated under the previous Endangered Species Act. The species retained its endangered status on the SARO List when the ESA came into force in 2008. In future assessments, COSSARO may consider information gained through protection and recovery actions regarding the species’ threats and trends in population and distribution.

Species and habitat protection

Protecting American Chestnut and its habitat are key components in the implementation of the ESA and continue to be government-led actions, as identified in the government response statement (GRS). As an endangered species, American Chestnut has been protected from being killed, harmed, harassed, captured or taken under the ESA since it came into force in 2008. The species’ habitat has been protected from being damaged or destroyed since June 30, 2013, based on the general habitat definition in the ESA. The ESA does not require a habitat regulation to be developed for transition ^{footnote 1[1]}species such as American Chestnut.

Any person who negatively impacts American Chestnut or its habitat without prior authorization may be prosecuted under the ESA.

Recovery strategy

A recovery strategy for American Chestnut was published on June 15, 2012, which was in advance of the date required by the ESA. Recovery strategies are advice to government and represent the best available scientific knowledge. The strategy identifies the habitat needs of the species and the threats that it faces, while recommending objectives and approaches for its protection and recovery. The recovery strategy also includes recommendations on the areas of habitat to be considered in the development of a habitat regulation.

Government response statement

The government published the GRS for American Chestnut on May 31, 2013. The GRS is the Government of Ontario’s species-specific policy on what is needed to protect and recover a given species, and includes the associated recovery goal.

To help achieve this goal, the government leads, supports and prioritizes recovery actions identified in the GRS. Common actions for the government to lead as it works towards achieving a species’ recovery goal are provided in section 2.5 of the Species at Risk Program Status (2008-2015). An action in the GRS for the government to lead that is specific to this species, and not included in the typical actions in section 2.5 is:

• Undertake and consult on an evaluation of when and how intervention, such as interbreeding to create blight resistant American Chestnuts, is appropriate for the purposes of recovery.

The GRS for American Chestnut also lists seven actions the Government of Ontario supports others to undertake for the species. These government-supported actions fall under the objectives identified in the GRS, which are:

• Survey and monitor known American Chestnut populations and habitat in Ontario
• Develop and evaluate management measures to control the threat of chestnut blight
• Increase public awareness about chestnut blight and the need to protect American Chestnuts

Government-funded projects

An important government-led action in the GRS for American Chestnut is to support partners to undertake activities to protect and recover the species. Through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program the government has supported 29 projects designed to contribute to the protection and recovery of American Chestnut^{footnote 2[2]}. Nine of these projects ($590,152) focused exclusively on the species, while the other 20 projects ($790,146) focused on multiple species at risk, including American Chestnut. In addition to the government funding, partners focusing exclusively on American Chestnut reported they were successful in securing additional funding ($398,585) from other sources, as did partners with projects designed to benefit multiple species at risk, including American Chestnut ($1,724,694). These amounts include in-kind support in the form of time and expertise provided by volunteers.

Stewardship partners reported that provincial funding helped them to secure in-kind support by involving 737 individuals who volunteered 10,060 hours of their time towards protection and recovery activities that focused exclusively on American Chestnut, which has an estimated value of $249,937. As well, 1,337 individuals volunteered 22,785 hours of their time towards protection and recovery activities for multiple species at risk, including American Chestnut, which has an estimated value of $560,420.

Stewardship partners reported that through both their efforts and the efforts of their volunteers to implement actions contained in the GRS, they were successful in enhancing 3,105 hectares of habitat that will benefit multiple species at risk, including American Chestnut. In addition, stewardship partners reported providing focused outreach on American Chestnut to 9,902 individuals, as well as ecosystem-based outreach on multiple species, including American Chestnut, to 122,008 individuals.

The government also supports proponents in conducting research that addresses important knowledge gaps for species at risk. Through the Species at Risk Research Fund for Ontario, the government provided funding to a partner to sample leaves of American Chestnut for a future population genetic analysis, which filled knowledge gaps related to genetic parentage and potential for the ability to create blight resistant American Chestnuts.

The remainder of this section highlights projects delivered by two partners supported through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program as well as the corresponding government-supported recovery actions for the species.

Through support from the Species at Risk Stewardship Program, the Canadian Chestnut Council (CCC), a non-governmental organization, has implemented eight projects, many of which were conducted over multiple years, between 2007 and 2017 in the Aylmer and Guelph districts. In the course of conducting these projects, CCC secured 9,535 hours of volunteer time and $378,919 of additional funding and in-kind support towards recovery efforts of the American Chestnut.

The focus of the CCCs projects is to maintain, conserve and enhance the genetic diversity of the American Chestnut. This has been done through several methods, including, but not limited to:

• Researching and developing techniques to enable production of pure American Chestnut saplings in large quantities, including sprout grafting, rooting propagation, tissue culture, and seed propagation
• Establishing breeding nurseries for research trees, where blight resistance and genetic properties for trees adapted to a woodlot environment can be tested
• Establishing, monitoring, and managing seed colonies on public and private lands within and out of the species’ historic range
• Planting saplings within the pollen zone of native pure American Chestnut trees that are able to flower but do not currently have a pollen source
• Developing site selection and planting protocols in conjunction with MNRF
• Developing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing protocols for Ontario’s American Chestnut
• Developing best management practices for woodlots to manage canopy cover that promote American Chestnut growth

These projects support the GRS actions to: survey and monitor known American Chestnut populations and habitat in Ontario, and develop and evaluate management measures to control the threat of chestnut blight.

In 2012, Blue Oak Native Landscapes received funding from the Species at Risk Stewardship Program to implement a two-year project entitled “Golden Horseshoe American Chestnut Survey”. This project surveyed for known American Chestnut occurrences and new populations in suitable areas in the Brant, Halton, Haldimand, Hamilton, Niagara, Waterloo, and Wellington counties and regions. Eighty-three sites were surveyed in fall 2012 and summer and fall 2013, and 239 trees were recorded at 60 sites. Eleven of the surveyed trees were dead, 61 were planted, and 167 were living, naturally-occurring trees of which 97 were previously undocumented.

Approximately 55% of the trees surveyed were greater than seven metres in height, which is promising for the population given the greater likelihood of flowering and fruiting at seven metres (Tindall et al. 2004). Approximately 29% of the living, naturally-occurring trees were infected with chestnut blight.

This project supports the GRS actions to inventory and monitor known American Chestnut populations and habitat in Ontario.

Species at Risk Stewardship Fund

• 
  29

  projects included American Chestnut

• 
  $590,152

  for American Chestnut exclusively

• 
  $790,146

  for multi-species projects that included American Chestnut

• 
  $2,123,279

  in additional funding and in-kind support

• 
  2,074

  volunteers

• 
  32,845

  volunteer hours

• 
  131,910

  people received outreach

• 
  3,105

  hectares of habitat enhanced

Efforts to minimize adverse effects on and create an overall benefit for American Chestnut

Supporting partners through permits and their associated conditions is an important government-led action.

Eight permits have been issued for American Chestnut since the species has been protected under the ESA: seven ‘protection or recovery’ permits (i.e., 17(2)(b) permit) and one ‘overall benefit’ permit (i.e., 17(2)(c) permit).

‘Protection or recovery’ permits are issued if the purpose of the activity is to assist in the protection or recovery of a species at risk. All seven of the ‘protection or recovery’ permits were issued exclusively for American Chestnut. These permits enabled several organizations to undertake activities such as collecting seeds, burs, stems and leaves for DNA analysis and propagation, conducting research into the adaptability of the species by planting American Chestnut in controlled environments, and relocating existing healthy trees into suitable habitat.

One ‘overall benefit’ permit was issued exclusively for American Chestnut. Several of the conditions included in the permit were designed to implement government-supported actions identified in the GRS for American Chestnut, including:

• Planting 100 American Chestnut seedlings, from seedlings and saplings grown from seeds by the Canadian Chestnut Council, in specified areas and with appropriate pre-treatment vegetation management in the planting area
• Monitoring and reporting on growth of planted trees
• Allowing Canadian Chestnut Council to collect soft cuttings in order to produce clones to be part of research to isolate a genetic line which could be resistant to the chestnut blight
• Erecting and maintaining educational signage

Other conditions designed to minimize adverse effects include:

• Maintaining a 20 metres buffer around retained trees to protect the tree’s root zones
• Removing the trees severely affected by blight and disposing of them properly

More detailed information regarding ‘overall benefit’ permits is available through Ontario’s Environmental Registry.

Seventeen agreements were entered into for American Chestnut. These agreements were enabled through Ontario Regulation 242/08 (prior to the July 1, 2013 amendment). Conditions of the agreements involve implementing actions in the mitigation plan, including, but not limited to:

• Identifying and marking individuals in the work area to limit equipment access and operations where any individuals occur
• Minimizing adverse effects by avoiding compaction and disturbance of the soil to avoid damaging roots and stems

Eighteen activities that may affect American Chestnut or its habitat have been registered for the purposes of the Ontario Regulation 242/08 under the ESA. This includes six activities registered under ‘Drainage works’ (section 23.9), eight activities registered under ‘Threats to health and safety, not imminent’ (section 23.18), and four activities registered under ‘Species protection, recovery activities’ (section 23.17). The registrations require the registered individual to comply with all conditions of the regulations, such as:

• Taking reasonable steps to minimize adverse effects of the activity on the species identified in the notice of drainage work form
• Preparing a mitigation plan using best available information on steps that may help minimize or avoid adverse effects on the species
• Reporting observations of the species using the Ontario Species at Risk Observation Reporting Form and submitting it to the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC)

Occurrences of American Chestnut in Ontario

One hundred and sixteen populations^{footnote 3[3]} of American Chestnut have been documented in Ontario. Seventy-four are considered to be extant (i.e., observed within the past 20 years), 39 are considered to be historical^{footnote 4[4]} and 3 are considered to be extirpated.

Since 2008, the government’s central repository at the NHIC has received 2,401 records of the species. These records are based on observations between 1886 and 2017, and come from a variety of sources. Records submitted have helped to refine where the species is known and has been known to occur and have provided additional information on the species’ habitat and threats.

Sixty-two populations (1,357 observations) have been observed since 2008 when the species was listed under the ESA. This includes 2 populations that were previously considered historical, and 11 new populations of American Chestnut which have been identified since 2008. The newly-identified local populations are likely the result of increased search effort and education about American Chestnut and may not represent actual population increases, but rather increased knowledge about the distribution and abundance of the species.

It is possible that there are observations of American Chestnut that have not been submitted to the government. Encouraging the submission of observations of this species to the government is included in the GRS as a government-led action. Submission of species observations increases our knowledge of where they occur and can play an important role in assessing the viability and distribution of species populations.

Everyone is encouraged, or may be required by an authorization or approval, to submit observations of American Chestnut, and any other species at risk observed, to the NHIC for incorporation into the provincial record of observations.

Summary of progress towards meeting the recovery goal

Summary of progress

Progress has been made towards the majority of the government-led actions and the majority of government-supported actions outlined in the GRS for American Chestnut. The Government of Ontario has directly undertaken actions to:

• Educate other agencies and authorities involved in planning and environmental assessment processes on the protection requirements under the ESA
• Encourage the submission of American Chestnut data to the government’s central repository at the NHIC
• Undertake communications and outreach to increase public awareness of species at risk in Ontario
• Protect American Chestnut and its habitat through the ESA
• Support conservation, agency, municipal, industry partners and Indigenous communities to undertake activities to protect and recover the American Chestnut. Support will be provided through funding, agreements, permits (including conditions) and advisory services
• Establish and communicate annual priority actions for government support in order to encourage collaboration and reduce duplication of efforts

Government-supported actions are organized under recovery objective focus areas. Progress has been made towards all of the government-supported recovery objectives and the majority of the associated actions identified in the GRS for American Chestnut.

Under the objective to survey and monitor known American Chestnut populations and habitat in Ontario, considerable progress has been made towards Action No. 1 while initial progress has been made towards Action No. 2.

• Develop and implement a standardized survey monitoring program for naturally-occurring populations of American Chestnut to:
  • Detect undiscovered occurrences
  • Regularly complete population surveys and health assessments of American Chestnut occurrences
  • Assess habitat conditions at occupied sites (Action No. 1 – High Priority)
• Identify and assess planted populations of American Chestnut across Ontario to:
  • Determine the genetic parentage and geographical source of the trees, where possible
  • Act as potential sources for genetically-resistant trees for future restoration efforts and research purposes
  • Reduce the risk of spreading blight from planted chestnut trees to naturally-occurring American Chestnuts (Action No. 2)

Action No. 1 and Action No. 2 have been implemented through numerous projects supported by the Species at Risk Stewardship Program. These projects were delivered by non-profit organizations, naturalist clubs, and Conservation Authorities that developed and delivered field surveys, health assessments, and monitoring programs which resulted in new occurrences and increased knowledge about habitat and disease conditions at existing occurrences.

Under the objective to develop and evaluate management measures to control the threat of chestnut blight, initial progress has been made towards Action No. 3 through Action No. 6.

• Conserve and enhance genetic diversity of American Chestnuts through the establishment of quarantined plantations (for example, from seed or clones) and facilitated propagation (for example, cross pollination) in naturally-occurring populations (Action No. 3 – High Priority).
• Investigate the effectiveness of producing a modified American Chestnut with genes from blight-resistant or blight-tolerant Chestnut species (for example, Chinese Chestnut) (Action No. 4 – High Priority).
• Investigate the effectiveness of breeding American Chestnut with other American Chestnuts for blight resistance (Action No. 5).
• Investigate the effectiveness of inoculating the species with a viral infection to weaken the blight fungus and decrease the species’ vulnerability to the disease (Action No. 6).

Action No. 3 and Action No. 5 have been implemented through several projects supported by the Species at Risk Stewardship Program and undertaken by non-profit organizations. These projects include collecting seeds, breeding blight-resistant hybrids, and conducting monitoring of hybrid trees for presence and growth of blight lesions.

Progress has been made towards the objective to increase public awareness about chestnut blight and the need to protect American Chestnut trees.

• Promote awareness among land management authorities, private landowners, conservation partners, and Indigenous communities of the need to increase protection of American Chestnut, reduce the movement of all chestnut species, and limit the spread of blight (Action No. 7).

This action has been implemented through projects supported by the Species at Risk Stewardship Program and delivered by non-profit organizations, who promoted awareness of American Chestnut in stewardship festivals, websites, and factsheets for landowners.

The recovery goal for American Chestnut is to retain the current population level and distribution in Ontario while increasing genetic diversity and reproductive success, and where possible, explore the feasibility of implementing blight control measures to restore the species to a self-sustaining state. Effort made towards the government-led and government-supported actions has helped to make progress towards the recovery goal for American Chestnut. For example, considerable effort has been made by stewardship partners to monitor existing populations and identify new populations, and to enhance genetic diversity and investigate actions to promote blight resistance. As a result of these efforts, and in alignment with the recovery goal, the provincial record of observation suggests the American Chestnut is persisting in Ontario, with 2 populations that were previously considered historical, and 11 new populations of American Chestnut which have been identified since 2008.

Recommendations

As stated in the GRS, this review of progress can be used to help identify whether adjustments are needed to achieve the protection and recovery of the species. Based on progress to date, the overall direction provided in the GRS for American Chestnut should continue to guide protection and recovery of the species, particularly those actions identified as high priority in the GRS. Relative to actions that have received a higher level of support, the following actions have received less support and may be prioritized in future activities and associated decisions regarding the protection and recovery of the species:

• Undertake and consult on an evaluation of when and how intervention, such as interbreeding to create blight-resistant American Chestnuts (a government-led action), investigating the effectiveness of producing a blight-resistant or blight-tolerant species (Action No. 4 – High Priority), and inoculating the species (Action No. 6), could be appropriate for the purposes of recovery.

Although initial progress has been made towards conserving and enhancing genetic diversity (Action No. 3) and investigate the effectiveness of breeding American Chestnut for blight resistance (Action No. 5), further work is required to fully implement these actions.

Moving forward, protecting and recovering American Chestnut will continue to be a shared responsibility that will require the involvement of many individuals, organizations and communities. Financial support for the implementation of actions may be available through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program for Ontario. The government can also advise if any authorizations under the ESA or other legislation may be required to undertake a project. By working together, progress can continue to be made towards protecting and recovering American Chestnut in Ontario.

Summary of progress towards the protection and recovery of American Chestnut (2007 to 2017)

Provincial status

American Chestnut is classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA). Prior to its transition to the ESA, American Chestnut was listed as endangered on the Species at Risk in Ontario List, but was not regulated under the previous Endangered Species Act. The species has been protected from being killed, harmed, harassed, captured or taken under the ESA since 2008, and its habitat has been protected from damage or destruction under the ESA since 2013.

Species-specific documents and guidance published by the government

• Recovery Strategy for American Chestnut (2012)
• American Chestnut: Ontario Government Response Statement (2013)

Government-supported stewardship projects

• Through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program, the Government of Ontario has enabled its stewardship partners to conduct 29 projects that have supported the protection and recovery of American Chestnut. Nine projects ($590,152) focused exclusively on American Chestnut, while the other 20 projects ($790,146) focused on multiple species at risk, including American Chestnut.
• The government’s support helped its stewardship partners to involve 2,074 individuals who volunteered 32,845 hours of their time towards protection and recovery activities for species at risk, including American Chestnut. The estimated value of these voluntary contributions, as well as additional funding and in-kind support, is approximately $2,123,279.
• Stewardship partners reported that through their actions 3,105 hectares of habitat were enhanced for American Chestnut and other species at risk that inhabit the same ecosystem.
• Stewardship partners reported providing outreach on multiple species at risk, including American Chestnut, to 131,910 individuals.

Supporting human activities while ensuring appropriate support for species recovery

• The government has issued eight permits for this species: seven ‘protection or recovery’ permits were issued under clause 17(2)(b), and one ‘overall benefit’ permit was issued under clause 17(2)(c) of the ESA.
• Seventeen agreements were entered into for American Chestnut. These agreements were enabled through Ontario Regulation 242/08 (prior to the July 1, 2013 amendment).
• Eighteen activities have been registered for the species. The activities were registered under ‘Drainage works’ (section 23.9), ‘Threats to health and safety, not imminent’ (section 23.18), and ‘Species protection, recovery activities’ (section 23.17) under Ontario Regulation 242/08 of the ESA.

Occurrences and distribution

• One hundred and sixteen populations of American Chestnut have been documented in the Carolinian Zone of southwestern Ontario. Currently, 74 of these populations are extant (62 of which have been observed since 2008), 39 are considered historical, and the remaining 3 are considered extirpated. Since 2008, the status of 19 populations changed from extant to historical based on the date that it was last observed; however, 2 populations changed from historical to extant as their existence was confirmed through monitoring efforts, and 11 populations of American Chestnut have been newly-identified since 2008, indicating that the species has continued to persist and maintain a positive viability in Ontario.

Related information

Categorizing and Protecting Habitat under the Endangered Species Act

Natural Heritage Information Centre

Ontario’s Endangered Species Act

Ontario’s Endangered Species Act Regulation 242/08

Ontario Recovery Strategy and Government Response Statement for American Chestnut

Policy Guidance on Harm and Harass under the Endangered Species Act

Species at Risk in Ontario List

Species at Risk Stewardship Program

References

Tindall J.R., J.A. Gerrath, M. Melzer, K. McKendry, B.C. Husband, and G.J. Boland. 2004. Ecological status of American chestnut (Castanea dentata) in its native range in Canada. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 34: 2554 - 2563.