Il Sud delle Alpi: una regione ricca di boschi ma povera di legname? | South of the Alps: a region rich in forests but poor in timber?

Half of the Swiss Canton Tessin is covered with forest. «Ticino»,to give it its Italian name, is therefore Switzerland's most «forested» Canton. The natural annual increase is estimated to be above 500 000 cubic meters, of which a little over 10% is harvested. The situation in the past was very different. Until the mid-19th century Tessin exported lumber to Italy. Following the devastating floods of 1868 cutting came to be strictly regulated and a period of gradual afforestation commenced. Nevertheless,intense harvesting continued for almost a century. Since 1950 the progressive abandonment of agriculture and the depopulation of the valleys have led to the current situation. It would be desirable today to effect a reversal of this trend. The «Federlegno» and other organizations are engaged in promoting the use of wood from Tessin for construction and heating. Despite encountered difficulties there are indications of success.