Articles
USING WALNUT SPECIES FOR TIMBER PRODUCTION IN SOUTHERN EUROPE
Article number
1050_53
Pages
383 – 388
Language
English
Abstract
This article explains the importance of some Juglans species for timber production in western Europe.
In the last 30 years, planting of Juglans species for timber production has become increasingly popular, and particularly in southern Europe; this generally involves the use of fast-growing species with a short turnover.
In line with this recent concept of timber production, different hybrids of Juglans have been planted and new afforestations have been established on good soils.
This more intensive production of walnut wood should not, however, come at the expense of the quality demanded by consumers, who associate this wood with expensive furniture.
In Europe, Persian walnut (J. regia) has been used to make fine-wood furniture since the 14th century and the idea that the true Juglans wood is that produced by this species is widely extended.
However, J. regia has been selected for nut production since time immemorial and restoring its wild habit has been a major objective of most recent forest breeding programmes.
This research focused on combining plant homogeneity and fast growth with the forest growth habit in new selections.
A second aim currently being pursued involves trying to minimize the more negative effects associated with cultivating this species under Mediterranean conditions: recurrent drought and sudden frost events.
In the last 30 years, planting of Juglans species for timber production has become increasingly popular, and particularly in southern Europe; this generally involves the use of fast-growing species with a short turnover.
In line with this recent concept of timber production, different hybrids of Juglans have been planted and new afforestations have been established on good soils.
This more intensive production of walnut wood should not, however, come at the expense of the quality demanded by consumers, who associate this wood with expensive furniture.
In Europe, Persian walnut (J. regia) has been used to make fine-wood furniture since the 14th century and the idea that the true Juglans wood is that produced by this species is widely extended.
However, J. regia has been selected for nut production since time immemorial and restoring its wild habit has been a major objective of most recent forest breeding programmes.
This research focused on combining plant homogeneity and fast growth with the forest growth habit in new selections.
A second aim currently being pursued involves trying to minimize the more negative effects associated with cultivating this species under Mediterranean conditions: recurrent drought and sudden frost events.
Publication
Authors
N. Aletà
Keywords
J. regia, J. ×intermedia, breeding, basic materials, forest reproductive materials
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