American Chestnut

Over the summer of 2011, Clarissa Lyons '13 worked with Paul Wetzel, Environmental Research Coordinator CEEDS, investigating chestnut seed germination ecology in a natural setting; growth response of seedlings to forest gaps of varying size; competitive interactions of chestnut with other native hardwoods; and chestnut's response along a soil moisture gradient. The research took place at the MacLeish Field Station in West Whately and is part of collaborative efforts to restore the American chestnut into natural forests.