Hardwood Floors December 2019/January 2020

RESOURCES

SPECIES SPECS Ch e s t nu t

Castanea spp. genus

COLOR: The heartwood can be a light to medium greyish brown that darkens to a reddish brown with age. The sapwood can be pale white to light brown. GRAIN: The grain is straight, spiraled, and/or interlocked with conspicuous growth rings. Ring-porous grain with narrow rays.

The Castanea spp. genus (chestnut) contains about 12 species, and is in the beech family (fagaceae). Chestnut trees are primarily grown in the Eastern United States, Europe and Asia. Often referred to as American chestnut or sweet chestnut it is often sold as “wormy chestnut.”

HARDNESS (JANKA): Averages 540

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: ABOVE AVERAGE Chestnut has a dimensional stability factor of 3.4 percent (radial) and 6.7 percent (tangential), meaning this species may shrink/swell up to 6.7 percent of its given width, depending on how it’s cut, when going from green (30 percent MC) to oven- dried.

DIMENSIONAL CHANGE COEFFICIENT: Average = .00116 (radial), .00234 (tangential)

SPECIFIC GRAVITY:

Average = .48 NAILING: Very easy to work with, but has a tendency to

ORIGIN: Commercial quantities of American chestnut were once harvested from New England to northern Georgia. American chestnut was attacked by blight in the early 1920’s wiping out nearly three billion mature trees. This blight was caused by an accidentally introduced Asian bark fungus. The wood is resistant to decay, but the dead trees were then damaged by insects, leaving holes and discoloration. These trees once stood upwards of 120’ tall with 5’-7’ diameter trunks. American chestnut is both rare, and relatively valuable. Most Chestnut sold today is salvaged from old structures and sold as reclaimed lumber.

split easily. The air compressor PSI will need to be reduced to avoid tongue splitting. Use of 18 gauge cleats work best.

SANDING: Chestnut sands very easily. Follow standard grit progression sequence. The final grit used is normally higher than other domestic species. Chestnut stains and finishes very nicely.

USES: Used in flooring, furniture, decorative millwork, and cabinetry.

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