These field studies clearly showed that the site requirements of the
Asiatic chestnuts, particularly with reference to soil moisture, are
more nearly like these of yellow poplar, northern red oak, and white
ash, than like the American chestnut or the native chinkapin species. On
fertile, fresh soils that support the more mesophytic native species,
Asiatic chestnuts remained relatively disease-free, developed straight
boles, made satisfactory growth, and were able to maintain themselves in
the stands in competition with the other rapid-growing associated
hardwood species.
The indicator plants that suggest good sites for Asiatic chestnuts are:
(a) Tree species--yellowpoplar, northern red oak, white ash, sugar
maple, and yellow birch; (b) shrub species--spicebush; (c) herbaceous
species--maiden hair fern, bloodroot, jack-in-the-pulpit, squirrelcorn
and/or Dutchman's breeches. Plants that indicate sites too dry for
forest-tree growth of Asiatic chestnuts are: (a) Tree species--the
"hard" pines, black oak and scrub oak; (b) shrub species--dwarf sumac,
and low blueberry; and (c) herbaceous species--broomsedge, wild
strawberry, and povertygrass. Plants that indicate sites too wet are:
(a) Tree species--black ash, red maple, and willows; (b) shrub
species--alder; (c) herbaceous species--sedges and skunkcabbage.