Traditional use of wood in Sicily

Abstract

The results of a multidisciplinary survey on the use of wood in Sicily are presented here. This research, based on a thorough review of the information available from numerous sources, mostly related to Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities, sheds light on the lasting, widespread and diversified use of many tens of woody species - native and cultivated - growing on the island. This work represents an initial contribution to a topic largely overlooked the national and regional literature concerning forest sciences and wood technology. Contrariwise, the very precise information available on the specific uses of wood from certain Sicilian woody species clearly testifies to the profound knowledge and high level of skills acquired not only by local craftsmen’s associations (carpenters, cabinet-makers, shipwrights, etc.) but also by local farmers and other woodworking sectors. Moreover, the use of several woody plants points to the probable impact that past use of forest resources had on the distribution of a number of tree species, many of which now rarely occur on a regional level, namely large-leaved lime trees (Tilia platyphyllos), common ashes (Fraxinus excelsior), yews (Taxus baccata) and black alders (Alnus glutinosa).