Students from the ninth grade observation class were treated to a visit to the only wild American Chestnut tree known in Camden. Their guide in this adventure was Eric Evans, Camden’s local representative of the American Chestnut Foundation.
Watershed Observation students at the base of the American Chestnut
After showing students the orchard of back-crossed American and Chinese Chestnut trees at Merryspring Nature park, Evans led the students to the magnificent 70′ high tree. The tree is not visible from the road, so it was a real adventure search, but students spotted the burs on the ground and soon found it.
The demise of the American Chestnuts in the first part of the 20th century has been called the “most costly ecological disaster in American history”, Evans told the students. Seeing a wild specimen so healthy in the woods was an inspiring and hopeful sign of nature’s resiliance. In fact, the American Chestnut Foundation has incorporated the genetic material from this tree into their breeding program.
The students are finishing up their year learning the basics of scientific observation by creating a field guide to 15 trees with hundreds of drawings from life. They will be taking a practical test next week where they will be expected identify trees in the forest. Wish them luck!
Great job, Pete, and all students from Observation!