Forests

Our principal forests are of laurel, chestnut and pine. Laurels dominate in the valleys of Madeira’s interior; chestnuts form substantial groves below 750 or 800 metres; and pines, which today climb to an altitude of 1200 metres, cover extensive tracts of the southern and northern slopes and are one of the island’s most important sources of wealth.

The til, the vinhático, the barbusano, the pau-branco, the aderno, the folhado, the holly and other native species are tending to disappear from Madeira’s woodland. The forests of ancient tree heath that we knew 30 or 40 years ago in the upper part of the island were long ago destroyed by woodcutters and charcoal burners, without anyone thinking to call them to account for their acts of vandalism.

Madeira, which at the time of its discovery was one vast forest that had to be set on fire before the land could be cleared, has today greatly reduced its area of woodland of wild species. We suppose that this area does not exceed 15,000 hectares, which is very little in so rugged a land as ours. It is therefore desirable to plant new woods, especially along the banks of the streams and on the slopes of the central mountains, so that their roots hold the soil and the torrents do not rush down violently, causing incalculable damage. See Afforestation, Trees and Shrubs, Common Lands and Timber.