Castanea sativa

The Nyberg Chestnut died in 2018 and was removed by ODOT in 2019. Wood from the tree was salvaged and is drying. It will live on as Oregon Heritage Tree Award plaques. The tree’s story is below.

The Nyberg Chestnut was part of a 150 tree mixed orchard that was planted around 1903 and owned by John Nyberg, an immigrant from Sweden. When Interstate 5 was being built, the Nyberg home and orchard were located on the highway right-of-way and had to be moved and most of the orchard was destroyed. But when a bulldozer came to topple the chestnut, John stood in front of the tree and stopped the machine. Due to his efforts this tree became one of only a few Oregon trees located on the original I-5 right-of-way that was saved from demolition during construction of the highway.

Tree Facts

• Approx. height: 65′
• Planted in: 1903
• Circumference: 14′
• Dedicated on: April 13, 2002
• Crown: 70′

Former Location: The Nyberg Chestnut was located on the west side of Interstate 5 at the Nyberg Road interchange (exit 289) in Tualatin.