Wood: The wood is soft, very resistant to decay, lightweight and easy to split. It was formerly important and used for poles, posts, railroad ties, furniture and caskets. Salvaged wood from old stumps is still highly valued for paneling. Chestnut split-rail fences still exist throughout the Northeast and Appalachian chain.
Wildlife: Years ago the chestnut was one of the most important wildlife plants of the eastern US. Deer, wild turkey, squirrels, chipmunks and other animals eat the nuts. Although the chinkapin (C. pumila), a smaller cousin of the American chestnut, has not succumbed to the disease, its wildlife value is relatively small.
