Asheville News

Chestnut trees could help soak up greenhouse gases

Jason Sandford July 1, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

New York Times story here:

The American chestnut tree, which towered over eastern U.S. forests before succumbing to a deadly fungus in the early 20th century, appears to be an excellent sponge for greenhouse gases, according to a new study.

…

Moreover, the chestnut is a prime species for furniture and housing products, which allow it to store carbon for extended periods after harvest. By contrast, carbon stored in newsprint is stored for an average of six months, said Bryan Burhans, CEO of the American Chestnut Foundation in Asheville, N.C.

“It’s simply taking atmospheric carbon and turning it into a compound that is stored in the tree,” said Burhans, a biologist who was not part of the Purdue study. Chestnuts that are not harvested, he said, can live between 250 years and 300 years, compared to an oak’s average lifespan of 100 years to 150 years.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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3 Comments

Asheville Dweller July 2, 2009

Buy that snakeoil of global warming . . .

Reply
Chad Nesbitt July 1, 2009

Speaking of chestnut trees. What kind of bug sits on the back of the chestnut leaves and looks llike a flat honey bee with a pointy rear end?

They eat me up today!

Reply
Sarah July 1, 2009

Thanks for posting this! Crazily enough, you are where we first heard that the TImes had picked up that story. We love being part of the Asheville community (and, as ardent readers of your blog, we’re pretty excited to be mentioned here).

Reply