In 1904, a chestnut blight killed almost all existing chestnut trees. Their ability to withstand rot for many years has helped to make it possible to salvage what logs remain and mill them into beautiful boards for use today. Chestnut's appearance runs from warm dark brown to very light brown in color. Worm holes (vacated long ago), knots and unique graining completes its distressed appearance. Re-milled chestnut tends to have more distressing and character and runs darker in coloring. Widths range from approximately 4 inches to 8 inches and sometimes wider. Lengths run from 2 feet up to 14 feet. Chestnut is a hardwood.