Sustainable plantations and poplar wood utilization in Northeast Italy
Introduction
In Italy fast growing tree plantations are the most important renewable source of wood raw material, suitable to respond to the needs of industry over the relatively short term. Poplar cultivation, spread over about 50.000 hectares in the Po Valley, is well integrated into the production systems of farm enterprises, allowing for intercropping and rotation with agricultural crops and optimum use of the various production factors.
The demand of poplar roundwood by Italian industry are mainly associated with the panel sector, particularly plywood, even if other relevant uses concern packages, paper pulp and sawn timber sectors. Despite the prevalence of I-214 poplar clone, new clones with improved environmental sustainability – so called MSA clones – are under consideration of the poplar growers, more interested towards environmentally more sustainable cultivation models in combination with the forest certification.
During the field tour in Northeast Italy we plan to show you the best examples of traditional poplar plantations compared to alternative cultivation models such as agroforestry and polycyclic plantations and we will be able to visit some sites as examples of environmental requalification and biodiversity conservation. On our way we will visit also important poplar wood utilization industries as Sicem Saga (paper pulp), Panguaneta (plywood) and Fantoni (chipboard and MDF panels). The Post field tour will end with a Round table on the effects of climate change on the wood availability”.
Preliminary programme
Friday 9 October 2020
14:30 – 17:30 Direct train from Roma Termini to Reggio Emilia AV Mediopadana
17:30 – 20:30 Transfer by bus to Ciano d’Enza (RE) and visit to the Sicem Saga paper mill
20:30 – 22:00 Dinner and overnight stay on site
Saturday 10 October 2020
08:00 – 09:00 Transfer by bus to Sabbioneta (MN)
09:00 – 11:30 Visit to poplar plantations and the Panguaneta plywood factory
11:30 – 14:00 Transfer by bus to San Matteo delle Chiaviche (MN, lunch at local restaurant)
14:00 – 17:30 Visit to traditional and certified poplar plantations with I 214 and MSA clones and polycyclic plantations near the confluence of the Oglio and Po rivers
17:30 – 18:30 Transfer by bus to Mantova with stop at the Hotel
18:30 – 22:30 Visit to the city of Mantova, dinner and overnight at the hotel
Sunday 11 October 2020
08:30 – 09:30 Transfer by bus to Villa Bartolomea (VR)
09:30 – 11:30 Visit to polyspecific plantations in Villa Bartolomea and transfer to Masi (PD)
11:30 – 14:30 Visit of the agroforestry farm in Masi with lunch break
14:30 – 16:30 Bus transfer near Rovigo with visit to poplar plantations
16:30 – 20:30 Transfer by bus to Padova; Free time and dinner in Padova
20:30 – 22:00 Transfer by bus to Friuli Venezia Giulia Region with stop at the Hotel near
Latisana /Caorle.
Monday 12 October 2020
08:30 – 12:30 Visit to the Nature 2000 site of Vallevecchia: “Reforest Action Project”
12:30 – 15:00 Lunch in Vallevecchia and transfer by bus to Osoppo (UD)
15:00 – 16:00 Visit to the Fantoni company, and wood panel production lines
16:00 – 19:00 Final meeting with “Round table on the effects of climate change on the
wood availability” (organizzed by MiPAAF Rete Rurale Nazionale – Italian Network for Rural Development Program)
16:00 – 19:00 Optional visit to the Nature 2000 site ‘Valle del medio Tagliamento”, a Site of Community Importance (SCI) selected to ensure the long-term survival of most valuable and threatened species as Populus nigra.
19:00 – 22:00 Dinner and transfer to the hotel
Tuesday 13 October 2020
To be decided:
Option A) 8:30 – 9:30 Transfer by bus to Venice Airport and Venice-Mestre railway station
Option B) 8:30 – 9:30 Transfer by bus to Torviscosa
9:30 – 13:00 Visit poplar plantation with light lunch in Torviscosa
13:00 – 14:30 Transfer by bus to Venice Airport and Venice-Mestre railway station
Cost per person:
Deadline for reservation: maximum 50 persons can take part in the tour, places will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be sent in writing to ipc.rome2020@ega.it. Cancellation received by …… entitles to 50% refund. Cancellations received after that date: no refund.
