Minervino di Lecce Project - Fondazione Sylva

MINERVINO DI LECCE

Hectares reforested

Trees planted

1000

liters of oxygen generated per day
(estimated in 10 years)

150000

kg of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere
(estimated in 10 years)

20000

PROPERTY OF THE LAND

Province of Lecce

PLANTING SITE

Minervino di Lecce

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

First project by the Sylva Foundation, thanks to the memorandum of understanding signed with the Province, with the aim of increasing forested areas. Educational project “Tree Friend” with the schools of the Municipality of Minervino.

TYPE OF INTERVENTION

Forestation project on an olive grove affected by Xylella

PLANTING DATE

10/01/22

STATUS OF THE WORK

3rd year: care and maintenance

DRAG

SELECTED SPECIES

Carob

The carob tree (scientific name: Ceratonia siliqua L.) is an evergreen tree belonging to the Fabaceae family, native to the warm regions of the Mediterranean. It can reach a height of 6-7 meters and has a wide, dense canopy. The compound leaves are shiny and dark green, while the small, red-purple flowers bloom in summer. The fruits, known as carobs, are legumes prized for their sweet taste and nutritional properties. The wood of the carob tree is hard and durable, and the plant is highly resistant to drought and suited for poor soils. It is used as an ornamental plant and in agriculture for the production of flours.

Arbutus

The arbutus tree (scientific name: Arbutus unedo L.) is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the Ericaceae family, native to Mediterranean regions. It reaches a height of 5-8 meters and has a dense canopy, with oval, glossy leaves of dark green color. The small bell-shaped flowers, white or pink, bloom in autumn, forming pendulous clusters, followed by the fruits, called "corbezzoli," which ripen in winter. These fruits are red, fleshy, and sweet-tasting. The arbutus tree is drought-resistant and adapts well to poor, rocky soils. It is appreciated both for its ornamental appearance and for the production of honey and liqueurs, in addition to being used for soil stabilization.

Holm oak

The holm oak (scientific name: Quercus ilex L.) is an evergreen tree of the Fagaceae family, typical of Mediterranean regions. It can reach a height of 15-20 meters and has a dense, rounded canopy. The leaves are dark green, leathery, oblong, and with smooth edges. The holm oak produces small acorns that ripen in autumn and are highly valued by wildlife. Resistant to drought and poor soils, the holm oak is particularly suited to warm, slightly cool climates. It is used for the production of high-quality timber, charcoal, and as an ornamental plant in gardens and green areas. Its bark also has traditional medicinal uses.

Mastic tree

The mastic tree (scientific name: Pistacia lentiscus L.) is an evergreen shrub of the Anacardiaceae family, typical of hot Mediterranean regions. It can reach a height of 3-4 meters and has a globular, rounded canopy. The leaves are bright green, leathery, compound, and pinnate, with a strong aromatic scent due to the presence of essential oils. The fruits are small, spherical, and red, ripening in summer. The bark, when incised, produces a resin, well known as mastic from Chios, a secretion that coagulates into round or tear-shaped, transparent, yellow beads with a balsamic scent and a sour, bitter taste. The resin gets its name from the region where it is primarily cultivated, the island of Chios in Greece. Mastic has medicinal properties. Resistant to drought and poor soils, the mastic tree is particularly suited to hot, arid climates.

Aleppo pine

The Aleppo pine (scientific name: Pinus halepensis Mill.) is an evergreen tree belonging to the Pinaceae family, typical of Mediterranean regions. It can reach a height of 15-25 meters and has a globular and somewhat irregular canopy. The needle-like leaves are long, thin, and light green in color. The Aleppo pine produces cones containing seeds, which are used by various animals. Resistant to drought and poor soils, this species is particularly well-suited to hot, arid climates. It is used for reforestation of lands and as an ornamental plant in parks. Its aromatic and durable wood is used in carpentry and for resin production.

Stone pine

The stone pine (scientific name: Pinus pinea L.) is an evergreen tree of the Pinaceae family, typical of Mediterranean regions. It can reach a height of 20-30 meters and has a distinctive umbrella-shaped canopy, with branches extending horizontally. The needle-like leaves are long and bright green. The stone pine produces cones that mature in summer and contain edible seeds, known as pine nuts. Resistant to drought and poor soils, it thrives in hot climates. It is highly valued both for its ornamental form and its wood, which is used in construction and carpentry. Pine nuts are used in cooking, while the resin has traditional uses in industry.

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