Crap, guys. I miss-sent this post to the wrong NG. Sorry about that.

James...
"Amused" wrote in message
l.net...
In 19th Century America, oak was considered a scrub wood. Chestnut along
with mahogany) were the woods of choice for craftsmen. (Don't fuss at me.
I know other woods were used.)

A fungus blight killed 99.9 percent of the chestnut trees in America.

Now, there is real progress in programs to introduce Chestnuts back into
the American forests. It'll take twenty years to get just the right
mixture, and another forty years to see results, but it still makes me
feel warm and fuzzy knowing that someday, one of the most beautiful woods
in the world will be available to craftsmen and woodworkers.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n..._chestnut.html