wormy chestnut box

[Ringbill]

The name and material are not necessarily inviting but I bought one a decade ago in western North Carolina. Sweet sound. I've been reluctant to tote it in the field perhaps overly concerned about its strength. Oh yes, I have a padded pouch but that is currently filled by a vintage Ben Lee double hen box. Anybody have one of this type of wood and can relate any experience with it? 

[Ringbill]

A quick search yielded two articles that said wormy chestnut is American chestnut that suffered a blight in the early twentieth century. And here I thought it was a separate species! Anyway, any experiences with this material will be appreciated.

[ferocious calls]

I make and love them. Great sounding wood when done rite.

[callmakerman]

I hunt with a Turpin box that I made myself a few years back that has nail holes and worm holes in it and there never been any issue plus it's a great sounding call.

[Jacobson]

Wormy Chestnut is one of the softer woods used for calls, I love the sound that it sends. It also is a very pretty wood to look at.

[Gobbler2577]

I've been building Cost style boxes for fifteen years and wormy chestnut is a favorite of mine.  I find myself keeping quiet about that wood though because it can be hard to come by.
Foreground is chinaberry, background is wormy chestnut.

[Ringbill]

Thanks, gentlemen! Real beauties, those calls. I think I can find room to take along the second box call.

[nyhunter]

My son and I both have one built by Dale Rohm, The are by far one of the best sounding box calls I have. They both have had many answers both Gobbler and hen.

[mgm1955]

Got one from Irving Whitt that sounds awesome and i'm not worried about it's durability.

[Britton40]

Steve Mann Maple over Chestnut

[hunter62]

Chuck Anderson chestnut handled longbox

[hunter22]

I love that call Chuck. Can you say Big Nasty.

[sfoxwoody]

I have a Purple Heart/American Chestnut box from Lonnie Mabry, it sounds and looks incredible!

[M22]

Lonnie Maybry box = wormy chestnut /purple heart   Hoyt Brown pot & stikers = wormy chestnut
Excellent sound  sweet,sweet.

[M22]

Try these