Abstract
The chestnut cultivation has always been very important in Piedmont as a primary food source, especially for mountain populations. Nowadays, this species grows only in few Piedmont areas, but it still dots and connotes the landscape with its unmistakeable botanical features as well as the flowers and the serrated leaves. The aim of the present research was to point out the importance of the chestnut tree in the Piedmont landscape, referring to its history for the preservation and future evaluation. This study was carried out by analysing documents and references that were found in historical archives and libraries. The presence of monumental trees in ancient woods, often associated with structures for drying and fruit conservation, is the evidence of a past flourishing economy based on the chestnut cultivation. In particular, in many Piedmont Provinces the natural and landscape values of chestnut cultivation can be found. Indeed, rare residual specimens still growing in historical gardens, such as in Villa il Roc and in Villa il Piazzo close to Biella (North-West Italy). The restoration and improvement of biodiversity and local traditions related to the chestnut culture and the conservation of this important heritage are considered priorities for the development of the mid mountain landscapes.
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