National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage – Knowledge and Skills of Regular Oak Forest Management

The majestic oaks of cathedral forests are a testament to generations of forest managers who have mastered the centuries-old regular forest management technique, a key pillar of sustainable forestry in France.

What is Regular Forest Management?

This practice involves growing trees of similar age and dimensions on the same plot, progressing through six growth stages:

Seedling (0–5 years)

Thicket (5–10 years)

Sapling (10–25 years)

Pole stage (25–75 years)

Mature forest (75–180 years)

Regenerating mature forest (180–240 years)

These forests are managed through multi-decade plans, ensuring continuity over centuries. Today, approximately 500,000 hectares of public forests, mainly state-owned (e.g., Bercé, Bertranges, Orléans, Tronçais), are maintained under this system.

A Heritage Recognized and Preserved

On June 8, 2022, the Knowledge and Skills of Regular Oak Forest Management were added to France’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This recognition by the Ministry of Culture acknowledges the cultural and historical importance of this uniquely French practice and ensures its preservation for future generations.

Why It Matters

The meticulous cultivation of straight, cylindrical, defect-free oak trees yields exceptional timber for:

High-quality barrels

Exceptional carpentry and construction materials

Premium furniture and interior designs

Restorations of watertight wooden ship hulls

Regular forest management is closely tied to stave-making and cooperage, producing the oak stave wood (merrain) critical to these crafts. This represents less than 1% of all timber harvested annually in France. The average age of an oak destined for cooperage is 180 years.

Sharing the Cycle with the Public

A key goal of this recognition is to educate the public about the life cycle of a regular oak forest. Understanding the importance of selective thinning and sustainable harvesting allows the most majestic trees to flourish, safeguarding this exceptional craft.

Beyond their aesthetic grandeur, regular forests and cathedral oaks underpin the excellence of French cooperage, a craft globally renowned for its contribution to fine wines and spirits.

What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?

Intangible cultural heritage includes:

Practices, expressions, and skills.

Tools, objects, and cultural spaces associated with these traditions.

Transmitted through generations, it evolves based on interactions with nature and history, fostering a sense of identity, continuity, and creativity.

This recognition highlights the essential link between sustainable forestry and France’s exceptional craftsmanship.

Photographs © Christophe Deschanel