Uncolonized North America was once inhabited by many organisms that are now extinct. The extinction of these organisms can be attributed to overexploitation of valuable resources or the introduction of foreign diseases through importation. One of these extinct organisms was the American chestnut. The American chestnut tree once inhabited the eastern part of North America, from Maine to Florida. The great tree was once a dominant species that inhabited the Appalachian Mountains. The tree was a staple diet for people in pre-colonized North America and immigrants from Europe. The large tree that towered over the dominant hardwood forest would soon disappear in the face of a foreign invader in the mid-20th century. The American chestnut tree was not only an important food source for almost all living organisms in eastern North America, but it was also very important in providing housing, furniture, and many other wooden necessities . The tree possessed rot-resistant properties and narrow-grained wood that were valuable in construction and many other applications. Its enormous trunk rose a hundred feet into the forest canopy. Diameters of five feet have been recorded and many photos of the tree show a larger trunk girth. The tree was capable of producing its edible fruits within seven years of germination. Early Americans were said to really appreciate it. By the early 20th century, import and export traffic had increased significantly due to mechanical innovations. The Bronx Zoo, which opened in November 1899, was busy filling the zoo with a diverse mix of exotic animals and plants in order to attract the masses of New York residents. One of the imported plants was the Chinese chestnut. With fruits similar to those of the American chestnut, the Chinese chestnut was much shorter and bushier than the American species. The Chinese species also carried a deadly fungus against which the American chestnut had no ability to defend itself. The fungus was later named chestnut blight. The devastating chestnut blight was discovered invading its first victims in 1904. After exposure, the fungus enters the cambium of trees through the bark, causing a canker. The fungus then spread around the cambium, encircling the tree, cutting off its life support and ultimately causing death. Many methods have been used to try to prevent further infections, chemical fungicides and burning more chestnuts around infected areas, but all have failed. The scourge would soon reach the southern United States, destroying all known Native American chestnut trees..