History of the Landes pine tree
Information and history of the Landes pine tree
The Landes de Gascogne forest area is cultivated in accordance with the 45- to 50-year production cycle of the Landes pine trees.
history
The planting of Landes pine trees in the 18th and 19th centuries, as a result of the 1857 Napoleonic Decree, improved public health while largely contributing to the territory’s economic, social and cultural development.
Main uses of the Landes Pine wood:
- resin tapping,
- pulpwood for paper or panels,
- planks.
These techniques were developed in an era when growing straight pine trees was impossible, so other materials had replaced wood, regardless of the variety.
As we are becoming aware of the threats to our planet, we must prioritize sustainable production methods. The Landes pine tree responds to these challenges because it is an innovative material with a positive impact on the climate.
Source : http://www.mediaforest.net/p182-l-image-du-pin-des-landes.html
Pine trees have grown in the Landes region since the dawn of time.
The Romans already shipped, via the Adour River and DAX harbour, the resin extracted from this tree, as well as the pitch and tar obtained via wood carbonization.
In the 19th century, Napoleon III implemented a Cluster Pine afforestation policy to prevent the coastal dunes from advancing and drain the marshlands to the North of the Landes region, thereby giving birth to Europe’s largest forest area: in less than 100 years, forested areas soared from 250,000 to more than 1,200,000 hectares, draining marshes, making the land cultivable and eradicating malaria.
