eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Zahida Ademovic 1 Borislav Malinovic 2 University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Forestry, Bosnia and Herzegovina University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Technology, Bosnia and Herzegovina Resin and charcoal production have historically shaped the cultural and economic life of Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in its rural and mountainous regions. Drawing on a historical-descriptive methodological approach, this overview traces the evolution of resin tapping and charcoal production in Bosnia and Herzegovina, outlines traditional and modern techniques, and evaluates their present industrial relevance as well as future development prospects. Although largely supplanted by modern industry, traditional practices continue to provide valuable ecological and engineering insights, particularly for sustainable forest management. In the context of climate change and the growing demand for renewable raw materials, these forest-based activities may acquire renewed significance. Potential directions include the modernisation of production technologies, the integration of circular economy principles, and the diversification of biomass resources. With its abundant forest resources, inherited expertise, and established industrial base, Bosnia and Herzegovina is well-positioned to re-emerge as a competitive and sustainable producer of resin, charcoal, and related products for regional and European markets. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/6_2_2025.pdf resin tapping charcoal production black pine traditional methods Bosnia and Herzegovina eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Emanuela Carmen Beldean 1 Maria Cristina Timar 1 Transilvania University of Brasov, Faculty of Furniture Design and Wood Engineering, Romania This paper traces the history of charcoal production and use in Romania, shedding light on the country’s industrial development and forest-based economy. Research on Romanian charcoal is scarce, and available data are limited, making this study an important contribution to the European forest by-products database. Drawing on national documentary sources, the paper identifies historical regions of charcoal production, examines the evolution of production techniques, and highlights several contemporary producers. It also provides a concise overview of the current charcoal market, demonstrating the material’s enduring relevance from past to present. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/7_2_2025.pdf charcoal Romania history manufacturing metallurgical industry eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 61 67 article Irene Bertelli 12 Jeannette Lucejko 2 Erika Ribechini 2 Department of Sciences of Antiquity, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy This review presents a historical and technological overview of resin and pitch production in Italy, tracing their development from prehistory to the present. Archaeological evidence attests to the early use of birch tar and conifer resins in the manufacture of composite tools, while historical sources underscore the industrial scale and strategic value of Brettian pitch during the Roman era. In the Middle Ages and early modern period, pitch production became institutionalized through guild systems and regional economies. Although industrial output declined in the twentieth century, traditional practices persist in parts of the Italian peninsula. The review situates the Italian experience within broader European contexts, highlighting its technological, economic, cultural, and ecological significance. By integrating chemical, archaeological, historical, and ethnographic perspectives, this study elucidates the long-term continuity and transformation of resin and pitch production and use in Italy over millennia. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/8_2_2025.pdf resin pitch Italy traditional forestry archaeological adhesives Brettian pitch larch turpentine eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Sofia Teives Henriques 1 Koldo Trapaga-Monchet 2 Paula Soares 3 Ana T. S. C. Brandão 4 Renata Costa 4 CEF.UP, School of Economics and Management, University of Porto, Portugal Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Facultad de Artes y Humanidades, Spain Forest Research Centre (CEF), Associate Laboratory TERRA, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Portugal Chemistry Research Centre of the University of Porto/Institute of Molecular Sciences (CIQUP-IMS), Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal Resin processing has played a crucial yet often overlooked role in the development of early industrial economies and forest-based resource management. Its historical significance spans from the maritime empires of the 16th century to the industrial expansion of the 20th century, illustrating how natural forest resources were systematically harnessed to meet evolving technological and economic demands. This review provides a comprehensive historical analysis of Portugal’s resin processing industry, focusing on the production of tar, pitch, rosin, and turpentine from pine resin. Drawing on archival sources and interdisciplinary research, the study traces the sector’s evolution from early dependence on imports to the establishment of domestic production centred in the Leiria Pine Forest. Technological innovations, such as Ragusan and Varnhagen kilns, alongside state interventions in the 19th and 20th centuries, were instrumental in promoting industrial-scale processing. This analysis highlights the interplay between environmental resources, technological change, and industrial policy in shaping this distinctive aspect of Portugal’s economic and cultural heritage. It also underscores the potential to revalue resin-related traditions within contemporary frameworks for sustainable forestry and economic development. Finally, this study traces the transformation of Portugal’s resin industry from a modest, state-supported activity into a structured sector before World War II, with reforms in forest management and integration into international markets paving the way for its post-war emergence as a major global exporter. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/9_2_2025.pdf resin industry pitch tar historical forestry practices ragusa kilns eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Mehmet Emin ERGÜN 1 Department of Forestry, Akseki Vocational High School, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Antalya, Türkiye This study investigates the use of activated carbon derived from black pine (Pinus nigra) wood waste in the production of particleboards. The activated carbon was synthesized through chemical activation with zinc chloride (ZnCl2) to increase its surface area and pore structure. It achieved a high BET surface area of 1003 m2/g, indicating strong potential for applications requiring substantial adsorption capacity. Activated carbon was incorporated into the particleboard at concentrations of 2%, 5%, and 8%. Its addition resulted in a 48% reduction in formaldehyde emissions compared with the control group, demonstrating significant potential for improving indoor air quality. The mechanical properties of the particleboards were also enhanced, with the modulus of rupture (MOR) increasing by approximately 20%. These findings show that incorporating activated carbon not only reduces environmental impact but also improves the functional performance of particleboards. The production process emphasizes sustainability by utilizing waste materials, thereby reducing environmental degradation and promoting eco-friendly practices within the wood panel industry. This approach supports the development of high-performance, sustainable building materials, aligned with contemporary environmental and social responsibility objectives. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/10_2_2025.pdf black pine formaldehyde emissions activated carbon particleboard eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Aleksandra Fostikov 1 Jiri Woitsch 2 Mirko Vranić 3 Tomáš Krofta 4 Florian Zikeli 5 Dorina Moullou 6 Paula Soares 7 Koldo Trapaga-Monchet 8 Sofia Henriques 9 Renata Costa 10 Katja Tikka 11 Marianne Vasara-Aaltonen 11 Branko Glavonjić 12 Nesibe Köse 13 Coşkun Köse 14 Taner Okan 15 Péter Szabó 16 Anna Varga 17 Boban Petrovski 18 Gönenç Göçmengil 19 Alessandra Pecci 20 Andreu Falcó Sanchiz 21 Volker Haag 22 Valentina Zemke 22 Kilian Dremel 23 Tim Lewandrowski 22 Anne Reisenbach 22 Jannik Stebani 23 Simon Zabler 24 Gerald Koch 22 The environmental influence of the PoTaRCH industry in the Middle Ages – both within Europe and beyond – has received only limited scholarly attention. To address this gap, this study evaluates the ecological consequences of producing and using non-timber forest products during the medieval period and assesses their broader significance in the preindustrial era. We conducted a comprehensive review of the secondary literature and, when available, contemporary written sources. Our methodological approach integrates comparative historical analysis with regional case studies to examine production technologies, terminology, trade networks, and strategies for exploiting forest resources. We also employ multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives to clarify the economic and social roles of these materials across several regions. As this paper shows, inconsistent terminology and uneven research coverage across topics and regions complicate comparative work and highlight the need for more detailed, systematic investigations. Given the substantial regional variation in medieval developments, the period examined here extends from the Great Migrations following the collapse of the western Roman Empire to the Early Modern period in the late sixteenth century. Where necessary, later evidence is also used. Our findings indicate that charcoal production exerted significant ecological effects during the medieval period, particularly in relation to mining and metallurgy. By contrast, potash production had a more pronounced impact in the Early Modern period. Although research on pitch and tar remains comparatively sparse, available evidence suggests that their production contributed to localized forms of forest degradation. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/11_2_2025.pdf charcoal potash pitch tar resin environment medieval eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Volker Haag¹ 1 Kilian Dremel 2 Tim Lewandrowski 1 Anne Reisenbach 1 Jannik Stebani 23 Simon Zabler 4 Valentina Zemke¹ and Gerald Koch¹ 1 Thuenen Institute of Wood Research, Hamburg, Germany Fraunhofer Development Center X-ray Technology EZRT, Würzburg, Germany Experimentelle Physik , Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany Deggendorf Institute of Technology (THD), Faculty of Computer Science, Germany In an age of increasing surveillance and regulation of markets and trade flows, reliable methods for identifying the species and origin of commercial timbers and other woody plant products are essential. In highly processed and composite materials – such as charcoal, engineered wood products, and paper – DNA and chemical signatures are often degraded or modified. In contrast, anatomical structures are typically preserved, making structural identification the only reliable method. This review compares the principal anatomical methods used for wood and charcoal identification. It summarizes the strengths and limitations of traditional techniques and highlights recent advances in digital and AI-driven approaches, emphasizing innovations from the last ten years. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/12_2_2025.pdf wood identification charcoal analysis wood anatomy artificial intelligence digital image analysis species identification trade control eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Zoë Hazell 1 Christopher Atkinson 2 Jim Bettle 3 Historic England, Great Britain School of History, Philosophy & Digital Humanities, University of Sheffield, Great Britain National Coppice Federation, Great Britain This paper presents information gathered so far researching woodland charcoal in England, as part of the work being undertaken for the EU-COST Action 22155 Network for Forest By-products: Potash, Tar, Resin and Charcoal (PoTaRCh). It covers a range of themes relating to England’s woodland charcoal production and its producers, both past and present. It begins with an introduction to charcoal production history, its methods, and uses, as well as considering the types of evidence – both historical and archaeological. It introduces the work as part of a Europe-wide glossary, compiling the modern and historical terms (with definitions) associated with charcoal production and its producers. It also presents an exploration into social and cultural references of charcoal production, from place and family names to literary references and descriptions, as well as looking at the representation of this heritage within current museum and trails. Finally, and importantly, it describes the character, status and uses of modern woodland charcoal, as a quality, sustainable product. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/13_2_2025.pdf charcoal production woodland history heritage cultural references eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article R. Herrera-Diaz* 1 F.J. Yuste-Córdoba 2 S. Cuellar-Borrego 2 R. García-Mateos 2 B. Godoy-Cancho 2 ‘Materials + Technologies’ Group (GMT), Faculty of Engineering, Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country UPV/EH, Spain Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de Extremadura (CICYTEX), Spain This study examines traditional non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in Spain, specifically charcoal, tar, tannins, and resins, and their cultural, historical, and economic relevance. Data were collected through a standardized template shared with national participants as part of the EU-PoTaRCh initiative and documented with bibliographical references. The fields in this template included: local names and terminology, descriptions of traditional production techniques, historical background, and traditional as well as modern applications of the products. Charcoal, the most extensively documented product, is still widely produced, particularly in Extremadura, which accounts for 80% of Spain’s output. Traditional and modern production methods, applications such as biochar and activated carbon, and environmental benefits are highlighted. Tar and pitch, historically significant in Andalucia and the Canary Islands for shipbuilding, are now mostly of cultural interest. Moreover, tannin extraction from oak and chestnut supported centuries-old leather trades in regions like Navarra and Galicia. Collectively, these NTFPs reflect Spain’s forest heritage and illustrate routes toward sustainable forest management, circular economy practices, and rural development. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/14_2_2025.pdf forest products; charcoal production; wood-tar-pitch; tannins; sustainable forest management; Spanish cultural heritage eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Elisabeth Johann 1 Austrian Forest Association, Working Party Forest History, Austria Larch balm (larch resin) is used in natural and porcelain paints as a binder for paint production, as a plasticiser in elastic varnishes, and as an active ingredient in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Due to its optical properties, Venetian turpentine extracted from larch was of great importance for a long time in the past as a putty and sealant in optics. Larch resin is considered particularly valuable in folk medicine because of its preserving and healing properties. Larch resin (local name Lörget, Loriet) is extracted by drilling the trunks into the resin canal. Drilling to harvest larch resin is one of the oldest uses of the Austrian mountain forests. Written reports about this form of forest use date back to the 14th century. Larch resin was originally extracted by shepherds. They used an axe to make deep holes in the trunk until the resin cracks were opened and the resin running out could be collected. This tree-damaging procedure was forbidden several times by law already in the 16th century but was gradually permitted from the second half of the 18th century through an imperial privilege under improved technical requirements. This was often practised at that time by woodworkers, who either paid the forest owners an annual rent or leased certain forest plots for a flat rate. Due to the rising prices for larch wood, the extracting of larch balsam declined from the 1860s onwards. Today, larch resin is only turpentined in some mountain forests. For the farmers who cultivate their larch forests between 1,000 and 1,300 m above sea level, drilling to gain resin from larch is still an interesting additional income today. The study focuses on traditional forest-related knowledge and its applications. Learning about the diverse production concepts of the past will not only point to the safeguarding of cultural heritage today in important ways but also to future strategies towards sustainable raw material supply. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/15_2_2025.pdf larch resin history intangible cultural heritage eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Nesibe Köse 1 Taner Okan 2 Coşkun Köse 3 Bedirhan Gürçay 4 Department of Forest Botany, Faculty of Forestry, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Türkiye Department of Forestry Economics, Faculty of Forestry, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Türkiye Department of Forest Biology and Wood Protection Technology, Faculty of Forestry, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Türkiye Department of Geography, Faculty of Letters, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye This study provides a historical, geographical, and socio-cultural analysis of tar (katran) production and use in Türkiye, tracing its development from antiquity to the present. It integrates archival sources with contemporary field data to identify production centres, trade routes, and the cultural meanings embedded in tarrelated toponyms across western Anatolia and the Black Sea region. A systematic review of archival and academic literature was complemented by a qualitative synthesis of tar-making practices documented in Denizli (Acıpayam), Mersin (Çamlıyayla), and Antalya (Elmalı). Historical production sites and transportation routes were mapped, and toponyms containing katran, zift, püse, or bise were analysed to reveal the geographic legacy of tar-making. Kiln types (stone-lined, clay-plastered, metal-burnished) and fuel sources (pine, cedar, juniper) were recorded, while contemporary applications were classified into construction, medicinal and veterinary uses, and artisanal industries. The primary tar-producing areas are centred around the Kaz Dağları (Mount Ida) region, with production expanding significantly during the Ottoman period to support naval and military demands. Traditional kilns still operate in rural areas, yielding tar, pitch, and naphtha for domestic markets and limited export. Beyond its economic role, tar holds symbolic meanings in folklore, associated with both healing and social stigma, that continue to shape its cultural resonance. Tar production in Türkiye thus embodies dynamic historical networks and enduring ecological knowledge. Although industrialisation has diminished reliance on traditional methods, tar remains both a source of rural livelihood and a medium of cultural heritage. Policy implications include promoting sustainable harvesting, safeguarding traditional expertise, and integrating tar heritage into rural development and cultural preservation initiatives. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/16_2_2025.pdf tar katran ecological knowledge traditional methods eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Paul Kozowyk 1 Department of Architectural Engineering and Technology, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands Pine wood tar has long been used as a protective coating for wooden structures in the Nordic countries and has recently been identified as an adhesive in stone buildings. However, the conservation of structures historically reliant on wood tar is increasingly threatened by declining expert knowledge, reduced access to high-quality forest resources, and warmer, wetter climates that accelerate decay of both tar and wood. Positive progress is being made in pine tar research and conservation, including efforts to preserve the remaining expertise among craftspeople, yet the cost of regularly reapplying traditionally made pine tar can be prohibitive in many cases.  This study presents a pilot investigation comparing the hydrophobicity of wood tar coatings using water sessile drop contact angle measurements. Traditional Finnish pine was compared to a spruce tar byproduct from industrial biochar production, both with and without powdered charcoal filler. Results show that spruce tar exhibits superior hydrophobicity, and the addition of charcoal significantly improves the hydrophobicity of both tars. These findings highlight the importance of preserving traditional material knowledge for the conservation of cultural heritage and for the development of sustainable, biobased materials. Further research on diverse tar types and substrate materials is needed to optimise both traditional and modern wood tar products. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/17_2_2025.pdf spruce pine biochar pitch water resistance eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Maria Legut-Pintal 1 Joachim Popek 2 Alicja Młynarczuk 3 Monika Bartkowiak 4 Magdalena Zborowska 4 Institute of Archaeology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland Institute of History/College of Humanities, University of Rzeszów, Poland Faculty of Archaeology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poland This article highlights the significant yet previously underestimated role of wood tar in the economic history of the Polish lands. The literature reveal its multifaceted use as an adhesive, preservative, medicine, and ritual substance. Tar production expanded locally and industrially during the Middle Ages and early modern period, particularly in the Carpathian and Białowieża, Tuchola, and Solska forests, reaching a European scale by the 19th century, before declining in the 20th century, due to petroleum-based alternatives. Today, traditional tar-making survives mainly through educational and museum initiatives. The study presents an overview of production technologies, archaeological contexts, and written sources, and emphasizes the need for further interdisciplinary research and the creation of a database of production sites documented in archaeological and historical records. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/18_2_2025.pdf tar birch tar forest by-products archaeology history PoTaRCh eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Jakub Loffler* 1 Jakub Brózdowski 2 Department of Forest Management Planning, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland Department of Chemical Wood Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland The history of resin tapping in Poland reflects the dynamic development of a traditional forest use practice that played an important economic role, particularly in supplying raw materials to the chemical industry. Natural resin, extracted mainly from Scots pine, was used for producing turpentine, rosin, varnishes, and adhesives. However, the rise of petrochemicals, synthetic substitutes, and increasing labour costs led to the gradual decline and eventual discontinuation of resin tapping by the end of the 20th century. Today, while industrial-scale resin production has ceased, there is growing interest in its artisanal revival. Resin tapping is being re-evaluated for its educational and cultural value. Resin now finds niche applications in cosmetics, natural medicine, art conservation, and historical reenactment. The paper provides a review of scientific studies on resin tapping in Poland, including book publications issued by the leading research institutions dealing with this subject in the country. It explores the potential for limited revitalization of resin tapping in Poland through local, craft-based, and educational initiatives. Although a return to industrial-scale production is unlikely, resin tapping may re-emerge as a practice that supports cultural heritage preservation and sustainable forest use. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/19_2_2025.pdf resin tapping natural resin Scots pine traditional practices forest history eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Zorica Mojović 1 Nataša Jović-Jovičić 1 University of Belgrade – Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia Charcoal and biochar, two carbon-rich products derived from the pyrolysis of biomass, are the subject of renewed scientific interest due to their diverse roles in archaeology, agriculture, environmental protection and industry. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of Serbian research conducted between 2004 and 2024, highlighting the diversity of biomass sources, pyrolysis conditions and the expanding range of applications for these materials. Charcoal, traditionally used as a fuel, is explored here in its broader role – from archaeological analyses revealing ancient human-environment interactions to modern applications in radon monitoring, organic agriculture, detoxification by adsorption, and medicine. In particular, retorted beech charcoal has proved very useful in improving soil fertility and developing antimicrobial composites. In parallel, biochar research in Serbia has focused on the production of wood and non-wood biomass, including agricultural residues and invasive plant species, with applications spanning soil improvement, environmental remediation, pollutant adsorption, enzyme immobilization, and bioenergy. This review highlights the interdisciplinary importance of charcoal and biochar, their evolving production methods, and their untapped potential for environmental, agricultural, and technological progress in Serbia and beyond. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/20_2_2025.pdf charcoal biochar archaeology adsorption agriculture industry eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Dorina Moullou 1 George I. Mantanis 2 Ephorate of Antiquities of East Attica, Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Athens, Greece Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences and Design, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece This paper investigates the production and use of resin and pine tar in ancient Greece and beyond, from prehistory through the Byzantine and early modern periods. Drawing on ancient literary sources alongside archaeological, archaeometric, and ethnographic evidence, the study reconstructs resin tapping and tar-making techniques from antiquity to modern times, with a particular focus on the ancient pitch industry and the longsurviving use of katramokámina kilns in modern rural Greece. Resinous substances obtained either by tapping live trees for resin or by subjecting resinous wood to pyrolysis to produce tar served diverse functions in Greek society: sealing ships and wine jars, healing wounds, perfuming spaces, and fuelling torches and weapons. The study emphasizes both the material applications and symbolic roles of these substances in domestic, maritime, medical, and religious contexts. By tracing technological continuity and adaptation across millennia, the paper highlights the ecological knowledge embedded in resin-related practices. It contributes to the study of ancient woodland industries and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, offering insights into the longstanding relationship between natural resources, artisanal expertise, and cultural resilience in the Greek world. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/21_2_2025.pdf resin pine tar pitch Greece ancient Greek technology traditional crafts forest products forest heritage diachronic perspective practical uses eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Taner Okan 1 Nesibe Köse 2 Coşkun Köse 3 H. Tuncay Güner 4 Department of Forestry Economics, Faculty of Forestry, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, İstanbul, Türkiye Department of Forest Botany, Faculty of Forestry, Division of Forest Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, İstanbul, Türkiye Department of Forest Biology and Wood Protection Technology, Faculty of Forestry, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, İstanbul, Türkiye Forestry Studies Research Center, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, İstanbul, Türkiye Wood charcoal has a long history in Türkiye, shaping social and industrial dynamics from the Ottoman era until the present day. For instance, charcoal has served household, artisanal, and industrial needs; trade patterns have evolved with energy transitions and regional forest resources. The study brings together historical and contemporary perspectives on the production, use and trade in charcoal in Türkiye from 2010–2023, drawing on the literature and FAO data to provide a concise overview. It also discusses implications for policy and future research. It reviews more than 40 scholarly works, theses, books, and archival sources on charcoal production and charcoal use from Ottoman times to the present. It also offers a conceptual framing of charcoal practices during the Ottoman period and analyses FAO charcoal export/import data (2010–2023) to triangulate historical interpretations with statistics. Charcoal was central to energy for smelting, weapons production, minting, cooking, and heating, with major centres including Salonica, Edirne, Izmit, Teke, and Aydın. Forest resources and urban demand shaped a complex supply network. Ottoman charcoal production lagged behind Europe in transitioning to coal, and reported efficiency varied (estimated productivity debates around 17–20%, depending on archival sources). Charcoal making was labour-intensive, regionally varied, with kilns typically being earth-mound. Modern patterns rely on migrant labour in some provinces. In addition to angiosperm taxa such as oak, beech, hornbeam, chestnut, ash, elm, alder, strawberry tree, and birch, gymnosperm taxa such as spruce, fir, and pine are also used in charcoal production. Türkiye is primarily a net importer of charcoal (2010–2023), with imports exceeding exports; however, the gap narrowed in recent years (2019–2023). The recreational use and expanding industrial applications of charcoal are driving growing demand in cooking, heating, and leisure contexts. There is substantial untapped potential in Türkiye’s forest and waste woody biomass to produce cleaner, value-added charcoal that reduces both costs and the environmental impact. Policies should promote sustainable forest management, regional deployment of efficient production technologies, and support for local charcoal supply chains. Future work should evaluate environmental costs of intensified charcoal use and explore cleaner production technologies and lifecycle trade-offs. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/22_2_2025.pdf charcoal Ottoman Empire trade forest Anatolia eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Osman Emre Özkan 1 Faculty of Forestry, Forest Industry Engineering, Kastamonu University, Türkiye Juniper wood tar, obtained from the dry distillation of Juniperus oxycedrus, has a long history of use in both medical and industrial applications. Owing to its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, it remains significant in the medical and veterinary fields. The tar is produced by heating wood in an oxygenfree environment at high temperatures, and its chemical composition varies depending on the wood type and distillation conditions. Medically, it is used to treat eczema, psoriasis, and acne; in veterinary medicine, it serves as an antiseptic for treating skin infections. In the cosmetics industry, it appears in shampoos, soaps, and skincare products as an anti-dandruff and antiseptic agent, while in the industrial sector, it is employed in wood preservation, paints, and leather processing. In this study, the antimicrobial properties of juniper wood tar were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans using the disc diffusion method. The results demonstrated significant antibacterial and antifungal activity, as indicated by the formation of inhibition zones around bacterial and fungal cultures. Moreover, the antimicrobial effect was dose-dependent, with higher concentrations producing stronger inhibition. These findings suggest the potential of juniper wood tar as a natural antimicrobial agent in the development of therapeutic treatments and preservatives. However, due to potential toxicity and skin irritation, controlled use is advised. Further research is recommended to explore its broader applications in medical and industrial contexts. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting plant-derived substances as sustainable alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial agents and highlights the potential of juniper wood tar in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria and reducing reliance on chemical preservatives. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/23_2_2025.pdf cade oil antifungal antibacterial juniper wood eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Jelena Rafailović 1 Institute for Recent History of Serbia, Belgrade This paper examines the use of wood tar in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, focusing on its production, trade, and everyday applications. It highlights both industrial dry distillation and traditional methods, with particular attention to the latter. Drawing on historical sources such as newspapers records and ethnographic accounts as well as relevant scholarly literature, the study reconstructs the traditional tar production process in detail, the ways tar was distributed and used in daily life. The methodological approach combined qualitative content analysis of written sources with a comparative review of previous research, enabling the identification of both local specificities and broader regional pattern https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/24_2_2025.pdf tar Kingdom of Yugoslavia kiridžije wood forestry Zlatibor mountain eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Derya Ustaömer* 1 Bilge Yılmaz 1 Elif Topaloğlu 2 Department of Forest Industry Engineering, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Türkiye Giresun Vocational School, Architecture and Urban Planning Department, Giresun University, Giresun, Türkiye This study presents an overview of the historical development of natural pine resin production in Türkiye, focusing on production techniques, commonly used species, the current production status, challenges in the sector, and major application areas. Natural resin is an important non-wood forest product with considerable economic and industrial value, both globally and in Türkiye. Resin production has its roots in ancient times, when traditional methods were first developed. Over the centuries, various improvements and innovations have transformed these practices into the modern production techniques used today. This transformation period in the resin production has shown a similar development from the Ottoman Empire to present-day Türkiye. Today, resin production in Türkiye is carried out primarily using the bark streak method – the most widely preferred approach – while the borehole method is employed to a lesser extent. Pine resin is mainly obtained from two species: Turkish pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) and maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.). Türkiye possesses substantial potential for resin production, and in recent years, various studies have been undertaken to enhance existing capacity. It is anticipated that future research, building upon the information presented in this study, will support the more effective utilisation of Türkiye’s resin resources and guide subsequent scientific and industrial developments. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/25_2_2025.pdf resin production methods Türkiye Turkish pine maritime pine eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2025-06-30 24 2 article Vidholdová Zuzana 1 Technical University in Zvolen, Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, Department of Wood Technology, Zvolen, Slovakia The production of charcoal played a key role in the technological development, economy, and cultural shaping of rural areas in Slovakia. This article provides an overview of the earliest evidence of charcoal production and use, from archaeological findings dating back to late antiquity through to organized production in the medieval and early modern periods. Particular attention is given to various charcoal burning techniques, their temporal evolution, and regional specifics (e.g., Slovak, German, and Italian methods). The analysis also focuses on the socio-economic significance of charcoal production, its links to metallurgy, forestry, and population migration. The conclusion highlights the enduring traces of charcoal heritage in the landscape and culture—from toponyms to educational reconstructions of traditional charcoal kilns. Charcoal production is presented as both a technological and cultural practice with potential for interdisciplinary research in forestry history, archaeology, ethnology, and sustainable natural resource use. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume24/issue2/26_2_2025.pdf charcoal charcoal burning historical technologies archaeological findings charcoal kiln forestry metallurgy cultural heritage Slovakia traditional crafts