Chestnut is an open-grain wood, the pores of which require filling for varnish and rubbed effects. Plate CXVII illustrates its rather coarse, although attractive, grain. Being less expensive, it frequently displaces oak for interior woodwork. It is found in the temperate regions of Europe, Northern Africa, Eastern North America. The Northern American wood is better and, although easily worked, is extremely durable. The western species of chestnut is called the California chinquapin. It is a light, soft, reddish wood and is sometimes called evergreen chestnut.

Chestnut can be treated practically the same as oak, although it is more frequently stained and finished natural. Handcraft silver gray (a silvery gray with bluish cast) or brown oak are particularly suitable for use on this wood. The rubbed, mission, waxed, and natural finishes can be obtained on chestnut, and the specifications are similar to those for oak. Chestnut is another wood which is capable of Handcraft system finishing, because of its attractive open grain. (Specification 41.)

Plate CXVII. Chestnut.