1. Introduction and objectives of the course. Near-to-nature silviculture and sustainable silviculture: theoretical basis and applicative principles. Effects of silviculture on the genetic characteristics of forests. Forest resources in Europe: an integrated perspective on ecosystem services, disturbances and threats. Brief outline of forest bio-based economy in Europe.
2. European forests: an ecological overview. Forest vegetation belts in Italy. European forest classifications. European Forest Types: tree species matrix. Past forests of Europe.
Silviculture of Mediterranean and temperate forests, in particular:
3. Silvics and silviculture of Mediterranean forests: Mediterranean macchia; Mediterranean pine stands, (Pinus halepensis, P. pinaster, P. pinea); evergreen oak stands (Quercus ilex, Q. suber, Q. coccifera). Wood production in Mediterranean forests. Silviculture of minor tree species of the Mediterranean environment.
4. Silvics and silviculture of plain / sub mountain forests: deciduous oak stands (Quercus robur, Q. petraea, Q. pubescens, Q. frainetto, Q. cerris, Q. trojana); chestnut stands (Castanea sativa). Brief outline on silvics and silviculture of the main broadleaf species related to the deciduous oak stands (Carpinus spp., Acer spp., Fraxinus spp.). Outline on the riparian tree vegetation in Europe. Wood production in plain / sub-mountain forests.
5. Silvics and silviculture of mountain forests: European beech stands (Fagus sylvatica); European silver fir stands (Abies alba); Mountain pine stands (P. sylvestris, P. nigra, P. laricio, P. leucodermis). Brief outline on silvics and silviculture of valuable broadleved stands (Acer spp., Tilia spp., Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus avium). Wood production in mountain forests
6. Silvics and silviculture of subalpine forests: Norway spruce stands (Picea abies); European larch, stone pine, Swiss mountain pine, dwarf pine stands (Larix decidua, Pinus cembra, Pinus uncinata, Pinus mugo). Wood production in subalpine forests. Silviculture in protection forests.
7. Outline of forest reproductive material and forest nursery techniques. Technical principles for the establishment and management of forest plantations. Outline on clonal forestry, short rotation forestry, forest restoration.

San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., de Rigo, D., Caudullo, G., Houston Durrant, T., Mauri, A. (Eds.), 2016. European Atlas of Forest Tree Species. Publication Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.
Silviculture Handbook. Wisconsin DNR, Publication Number 2431.5, Madison: Wisconsin DNR, 2010. www.dnr.state.wi.us/forestry/Publications/H andbooks/24315/
The books are available in the university library or on the web. Teaching material will be distributed during the course and/or made available on the web.

Background of wood science and technology: Wood chemistry: cellulose, hemicellulose, extractives (terpens, tannins, quinones, lignans).
Wood durability. Biotic agents of degradation, hazard classes, permeability, weathering.
National bodies and European Committee for standardization (CEN): types of technical standards
Solid wood. Standards for log and load bearing structures grading. Strength classes in structural timber EN technical standards. Structures in historical buildings, classification. Classification of quality in logs: EN technical standards. Marking CE.
Use of wood extractives, cork, gums, other non wood products.
Wood Preservants and consolidants.
Wood modification: Heat treatments (thermowood, Plato-wood, Moldrup), Chemical modification (acetylation, furfural alchol, isocyanates), properties of chemically modified wood.
Wood adhesion and wood adhesives. Liquified wood, welding wood, natural glues (proteins, starch, tannins…)
Laminated timber and solid wood panels: plywoods, X-LAMS, gluelams, KVH, LVL, PVL etc. EN technical standards
Particle wood biocomposites: particleboards (waferboard, flakeboards, OSB, LVL, etc.)
Fiber-wood composites (MDF, HDF, LDF), wood-plastic composites (WPC),
Cellulose nanopapers, cellulose nanocomposites, cellulose biofoams and aerogels. Plasma treatment of wood
Biorafinery, recycled wood.
Lignin nanoparticles and cellulose nanofibrils.
Applications to bio-coatings, bio-vernishes, biomedical products
Wood polymers composite

Rowell. 2013. Handbook of wood chemistry and wood composites. CRC Press
Ansell 2015, Wood Composites. Elsevier publishing.
Slides of the teacher.
Tsoumis 1991. Wood Science and Technology
Suggested Review Articles by the teacher