Nardò - Boncuri Project - Fondazione Sylva

Nardò - boncuri

Hectares reforested

Trees planted

200

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

30000

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

200

PROPERTY OF THE LAND

Municipality of Nardò

PLANTING SITE

Nardò - Masseria Boncuri

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Requalification of arable land in an industrial area adjacent to an ancient farm and housing seasonal migrant agricultural workers.

TYPE OF INTERVENTION

Forestation project on agricultural arable land

PLANTING DATE

Autumn 2024

STATUS OF THE WORK

Awaiting planting

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.

Philirea common

The philirea (scientific name: Phillyrea latifolia L.) is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the Oleaceae family, typical of Mediterranean regions. It reaches a height of 3-5 meters and has a dense, compact canopy. The leaves are lance-shaped, dark green and glossy, with a slight gray-silver tint on the underside. The small white flowers bloom in spring, followed by black or bluish drupes. The philirea is drought-resistant and adapts well to poor, rocky soils. It is used both as an ornamental plant in gardens and hedges, and for soil stabilization due to its robustness and adaptability.

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.

Myrtle

The myrtle (scientific name: Myrtus communis L.) is an evergreen shrub of the Myrtaceae family, typical of Mediterranean regions. It reaches a height of 2-3 meters and has a compact, branching canopy. The leaves are oval, glossy, bright green, and strongly aromatic, while the flowers, white and slightly fragrant, bloom in summer. The fruits are black-blue berries that ripen in autumn. Myrtle is known for its aromatic and medicinal properties, used in herbal medicine to treat respiratory and digestive disorders. Resistant to drought and poor soils, it is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and hedges, as well as in the preparation of liqueurs and essential oils.

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.

Kermes oak

The kermes oak (scientific name: Quercus coccifera L.) is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the Fagaceae family, typical of Mediterranean regions. It can reach a height of 3-6 meters and has a compact, branching canopy. The leaves are leathery and glossy, dark green in color, with spiny edges. The plant produces acorns that ripen in autumn and are appreciated by wildlife. Resistant to drought and poor soils, it primarily grows in rocky and arid environments. The kermes oak is important for its association with the kermes scale, an insect historically used to produce the crimson dye (kermes). It is also used to create hedges and as an ornamental plant.

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