Docents have long used the Chinese chestnut, Castanea mollissima, growing near The Nest on the general tour route, as a point of reference in the garden. After struggling for years with disease and severe dieback, however, this specimen lost its fight with the dreaded oak root fungus and other pathogens and had to be removed last November. At some point, we will redesign the shady section of the garden where it stood, probably replanting it with California natives that thrive in low light.