American Chestnut is scarce, moving in the shadow of its former glory. Once one of the most popular furniture woods in America, it was brought to the brink of extinction by chestnut blight. Chestnut blight is a ubiquitous sickness caused by an Asian bark fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica).

Though there are many sprouts and sapling to repopulate this gorgeous wood, there are very trees ready to harvest for wood. Old Barn Star is a unique position to offer you the beautiful wood as Amish reclaimed barnwood furniture– a lovely relic of the bygone era of chestnut.

History of American Chestnut

It’s a robust and durable wood. Straight-grained, strong, easy to work with, American chestnut is an excellent hardwood. In the 1800s, we were in love with American chestnut. We carted it from place to place by wagon to supply lumber to burgeoning communities. We were equally obsessed with its nuts, which we could be found “roasting over an open fire,” as the story tells it.

Though we can still get them, their abundance has dwindled. 1904 was the end of the American chestnut tree as we knew it. Lumber shipped from Japan and China carried the potent chestnut blight. It nearly exterminated our beloved tree.

Though things are on the mend for our sad little sapling, the blight still stalks it at every turn. We plant it in regions where heat and humidity, ideal conditions for the blight, are less prevalent, but the situation is tenuous. American chestnut’s legacy lives on in reclaimed barnwood.

Our chestnut furniture is carefully handcrafted by the Amish from destitute barns and other structures, from a time when chestnut reigned supreme. Naturally, these sources are finite, so this is the time to get reclaimed furniture. The chestnut wood represents a simpler era in America. Contact Old Barn Star today to inquire about our American chestnut reclaimed barnwood!

What piece of chestnut furniture would you like? Tell us about you interior plans on Facebook and Twitter, and stay tuned for more updates!