I had a buddy who was an engineer and Air Force Captain from NC. This 
would be 1965.....  I was going to the School of Mines in Rapid City. He 
headed back home when someone passed and brought back the first of many 
loads of American Chestnut from the sawmill and barn storage this 
relative had left for him.  Some of that stuff would stop the planer.  
from 6" to 24"+ wide, all about 12-15 feet long. I didn't appreciate at 
the time how valuable that stash was.  Dave was a good woodworker.  When 
he got out of the AF he headed to points west....  wish I'd kept a piece 
of that wood.  24".....can you imagine that!!

God bless