A group of Westbrook students is taking part in a project to restore American Chestnut trees, which were wiped out in the early 20th century.
In 1904, a lethal fungus was found on Japanese Chestnut trees that were imported from Asia. This fungus moved at a frightening speed killing out the American Chestnut trees. By 1950, all that remained in the wake of the fungus were lifeless trees where once stood 40 billion beautiful American Chestnut Trees. These trees made up one-quarter of most forests in the Eastern United States and were a primary source of food, lumber, and a key habitat for people and animals.
In 1983, a group of prominent scientists established The American Chestnut Foundation. Today, the foundation’s scientists are well on their way to developing a tree that is American in every way, with blight resistance borrowed from its Asian cousins. Using a blend of breeding techniques and recent advancements the foundation will return this majestic tree to its rightful place in our landscape.
As a class project, the sixth- and seventh-graders in Challenge Plus Math planted trees in the city of Westbrook at the following locations: 862 Spring St. (Sanmina Scientific), 410 Bridge St. (Congin School), and East Bridge Street ball fields (on the river side of the field).
The students started this project by learning about the plight of the American Chestnut Tree and then planted seeds that were grown under a growth light in their math classroom. These seeds grew into seedlings that were planted. The students involved in this project include: Ashlyn Bourgeois, Samuel Touchette, Chris McGonagle, Katie Walsh, Glenn Emery, Jenna Rodrigues, TJ Pitas, Nick Harmon, Kevin Hooke, Dan Johnson, Alec Bollig, Leanne Lessard, Jonathan Saltz, Tommy Lemay, Chris Rich, and Dylan Cowsert.
The following local businesses supported our Community Service Project: Boulos Company, Northstar Landscape, Aubuchon Hardware, city of Westbrook, and the Westbrook School Department.
If you are interested in helping with the regeneration of this American Tree, please contact the Maine Commission for Community Service at service.commission@maine.gov.
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