american chestnut lumber

AMERICAN CHESTNUT WOOD

American Chestnut comprised over 60% of the eastern hardwood forests when the first settlers arrived in North America.  Due to its wonderful stable disposition, chestnut was used for every utility purpose by the colonials.  At the turn of the 20th century American Chestnut came under distress from the chestnut blight and by 1920 almost all of the chestnut trees were dead.  Today the American Chestnut Society is doing wonderful work restoring the species by breeding blight resistant trees.

  • Most Chestnut lumber is reclaimed material – Cut from old timber beams.  These beams are de-nailed and resawn into boards for sale
  • This rustic look is very prized and widely used in old homes
  • Usually the more defects the better and is prized when full of worm holes
  • Has a coarse texture with a beautiful golden-brown color
  • Very stable, light weight wood

Characteristics of American Chestnut

Origin of Wood Type USA & Canada
Botanical Name Castanea dentata
Specific Gravity 0.48
Avg. Weight Per BF 2.5 lb/ft
Color Range Blonde – Gold – Brown
Rarity / Availability Reclaimed Material – please call for availability  1-888-814-0007
Typical Avg. Width 3″ to 8 1/2″, rarely found 9″ to 15″
Typical Avg. Length 8′ to 12′ feet, rarely found up to 16′
Avg. Waste Factor 0.5
Wood Uses Posts, Rafters, Beams, Flooring, Furniture, Picture Frame Moldings, Restoration
Lumber Grades Wormy, Unselected, Timbers / Beams
Other Trade Names Wormy Chestnut, Reclaimed Chestnut
American Chestnut Hardwood Flooring

American Chestnut Lumber Detailed Pricing:

Thickness Grade Figure Type Grain Orientation Width Range Length Range Price Per BF
4/4 Reclaimed None Mix 3.00″ to 7.50″ 48.00″ to 144.00″ $18.00
4/4 Reclaimed None Mix 8.00″ to 10.50″ 48.00″ to 144.00″ $20.00
4/4 Reclaimed Wormy None Mix 3.00″ to 7.50″ 48.00″ to 144.00″ $18.00
4/4 Reclaimed Wormy None Mix 8.00″ to 10.50″ 48.00″ to 144.00″ $20.00
5/4 Reclaimed None Mix 3.00″ to 7.50″ 48.00″ to 144.00″ $18.00
5/4 Reclaimed None Mix 8.00″ to 10.50″ 48.00″ to 144.00″ $20.00
5/4 Reclaimed Wormy None Mix 3.00″ to 7.50″ 48.00″ to 144.00″ $18.00
5/4 Reclaimed Wormy None Mix 8.00″ to 10.50″ 48.00″ to 144.00″ $20.00
8/4 Reclaimed None Mix 3.00″ to 7.50″ 48.00″ to 144.00″ $18.00
8/4 Reclaimed None Mix 8.00″ to 10.50″ 48.00″ to 144.00″ $20.00
8/4 Reclaimed Wormy None Mix 3.00″ to 7.50″ 48.00″ to 144.00″ $18.00
8/4 Reclaimed Wormy None Mix 8.00″ to 10.50″ 48.00″ to 144.00″ $20.00

Sample Photos of American Chestnut

Please Note: The photos below are examples of the species and may no longer be products available for sale.

All pictures of wood that appear wet, have been sprayed with denatured alcohol to show the natural color.  We use denatured alcohol because it evaporates and does not affect the moisture content.