An American chestnut tree in the middle of Middlesex County has given hope to conservationists fearing their extinction in Southwestern Ontario.

Chestnut trees used to be one of the most populous trees from Windsor to London, accounting for as many as a quarter of the trees in 1900.

But they have been driven to near-extinction following waves of disease. The American Chestnut is now considered an endangered species and is protected under law.

"There was three big die-offs in the last century,” said Dan Brinkman, land stewardship technician with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA).

“Right now we’re still seeing the effects of the emerald ash borer, and that started 2002 around Essex area.”

The latest find is only the third reported in Middlesex County. After being tipped off by a friend, Brinkman found the roughly 60-year-old tree in October surrounded by fully-grown oaks in a densely wooded area near Mount Brydges.

Chestnut trees are difficult to spot. Their leaves and seeds are distinct but at a glace they resemble oak trees which are far more populous in Middlesex County.

“For oaks they tend to like it sandy, sunny, and acidic,” Brinkman said.

“And that’s exactly what chestnut like too.”

For that reason, Brinkman said, there may be a number of unreported chestnut trees hiding in plain sight.

Chestnut trees have, for years, been coveted for their wood. Early European settlers likely used them to construct everything from houses to fences in the 19th century. The trees are also important to local wildlife, providing animals a reliable source of food.

But most have died off, between disease and clear-cutting practices in Southwestern Ontario.

There is good news. The American chestnut has all-but disappeared from Middlesex County but far more people have reported them in the surrounding area.

“Elgin County might be one of the best,” Brinkman said.

“They’ve got 70 reported to the Canadian Chestnut Council . . . I bet there’s even more in the Long Point region (southeast of Aylmer).”

The Canadian Chestnut Council, a regional nonprofit group, was created in 1988. Their goal is to coordinate environmental enthusiasts and researchers across North America, creating a grassroots movement to save the species.

Other projects are underway to breed chestnut trees with resistance to the chestnut blight, a fungal disease most responsible for their decline.

“The blight … will kill the tree above the ground but not below,” Brinkman said.

“So the roots will stay alive.”

People who think they know of a chestnut tree in their area are encouraged to reach out to the LTVCA at 519-354-7310.

Landowners can also report sightings of endangered plants and animals online on the province of Ontario’s website, found at ontario.ca/page/report-rare-species-animals-and-plants.

@STTJ_Pin

lpin@postmedia.com

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BY THE NUMBERS

3: number of reported chestnut trees in Middlesex County.

70: number of reported chestnut trees in the County of Elgin, largely near Dutton-Dunwich — one of the most encouraging regions for a chestnut tree resurgence.

120-150: estimated number of mature American Chestnuts in Ontario as of 2004 according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. That number is probably higher now thanks to regional conservation efforts.

99.9 per cent: American chestnut trees in Southern Ontario that have died off since 1904.

1,200: chestnut saplings planted at Tim Horton’s Onondaga Farms in Brant last summer, with support from the Canadian Chestnut Council.