The pines

This wood, qualified as a forest in 1843, has been replanted with pine trees. Pine trees were introduced in the 17th and 18th centuries and have acclimatised well. They were intensively exploited from the 19th century. Scots pines were used for boat masts. Maritime pines were planted in the inland moorlands and on dunes. They were used to make 25 to 30cm diameter posts for English mines, exported from the port of Lorient. Cut rapidly every 25 years, they offered landowners a good return. 

While this industry has declined, many forests have been replanted with softwoods, pines and firs, since the 1970s. These fast-growing species, preferred by foresters are intended for forestry use, especially the Sitka spruce. However, in recent years, many plots have been felled because of the great spruce bark beetle. This insect burrows into the trunks drying them out.