Chestnut Ridge
Named for trees that have disappeared
The American Chestnut was a large, dominant tree of our eastern forests. It succumbed to an Asian fungal pestilence called "chestnut blight." The blight was first observed in New York City in 1904, and it spread rapidly throughout the distribution of the tree. By the early 1950's, even the most remote stands of chestnuts had become infected. The fungus blocks nutrient transport in infected trees causing the above ground tissues to die. The roots, however, are not affected and are able to re-sprout. These newly sprouted stems can grow several ears but will eventually become infected by the fungus and die back to roots.
The chestnut and Laurel Ridges are at the western edge of the Allegheny Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountain chain. The Youghiogheny River is older than these mountains and has been cutting through Chestnut Ridge and Laurel Ridge since they rose up 300 million years ago. This rugged topography was a formidable barrier to 18th century pioneers.
A healthy American Chestnut Tree. For more information, check out the American Chestnut Foundation
at www.act.org [sic]. Photo: American Chestnut Foundation.Virgin American Chestnut Trees, circa 1911. The American Chestnut grew to be a very large tree, up to 70 to 90 feet in height and, on average, three to four feet in diameter. Photo: Forest History Society.
Great Allegheny Passage. For more information: www.gaptrail.org
Erected by Southwestern PA Heritage Preservation Commission, Allegheny Trail Alliance, Regional Trail Corporation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 40° 1.334′ N, 79° 36.208′ W. Marker is in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, in Fayette County. Marker can be reached from Great Allegheny Passage (North). Marker is at the Great Allegheny Passage (north) trail head, Youghiogheny River Trail section, behind the Martin's grocery store plaza, address 800 Vanderbilt Rd. (PA Route 201), Connellsville, off of U.S. Route 119. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Connellsville PA 15425, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Connellsville (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Connellsville (a few steps from this marker); Braddock's Twelfth Camp (approx. 0.2 miles away); Home of Colonel William Crawford (approx. 0.2
More about this marker. There is public parking at the trail head which features a stationary caboose painted B&O red.
Also see . . .
1. Yough River Trail Council. (Submitted on August 31, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
2. Great Allegheny Passage. (Submitted on August 31, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
3. American Chestnut Foundation. (Submitted on August 31, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 680 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 31, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 2. submitted on April 8, 2023, by John Anthony Hindelewicz of Chicago ridge, Illinois. 3, 4. submitted on August 31, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 5. submitted on April 8, 2023, by John Anthony Hindelewicz of Chicago ridge, Illinois. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.