Abete Bianco & Raw Material

Our raw materials come exclusively from the PEFC&FSC certified forests of Friuli Venezia Giulia, rich in biodiversity and conifers, especially Abete Bianco. A “KM0” raw material that we collect through a network of companies (Friul Dane FVG) which guarantees its uniqueness, origin and sustainability.

The Abete Bianco (Abies Alba) is a spontaneous plant with many advantages: among conifers it is the only essence without resin pockets, its fiber is compact and resistant, allowing preservative treatments to easily penetrate it. In the most active vegetative period, typical of young plants, during the transformation and growth cycle, it traps CO2 and produces oxygen. Otherwise, when the plants are mature (40/50 years old), this phenomenon becomes almost irrelevant. Forest thinning, thanks to the sustainable forest management of our woods, in addition to guaranteeing biodiversity, provides that renewable raw material, universally recognised, loved and appreciated and fuels the renewal of plants.

Due to the intrinsic qualities of the species, we have made this essence the main element for the construction of prefabricated houses, structures, outdoor furniture, long-lasting coverings and wooden shingles.

The Magical Abete Bianco

The Abete Bianco or “albero della luce” is the tallest plant among the conifers, the one that first receives light at dawn and last glimmers in the setting sun. Its silvery hair, especially with the cold winter temperatures, increases the luminous sparkle and its magic. It is a symbol of strength and hope and already in pre-Christian times it was hoisted in towns and homes during the winter solstice and prepared as thanks or the “maypole” to be climbed by young adolescents in the month of May. in rural communities.

The Abete Bianco in particular has been entrusted with the task of symbolizing Christmas throughout the world. The colored balls, lights and candles of today are the fruits, sweets and small natural “torches” of the past. Its branches were used for house decorations during the winter, the “tokens” (small sections of branch) were put in the pockets or suitcases of those people who faced a long journey or a new job. A tree that has always been valued as a symbol of “luck and health”.

Its merits

The greatest merit is its fiber, which is very compact with homogeneous growth rings, warm-colored, bright, satiny lighter than spruce. The core has some brown veins. The absence of resin gives the lumber a lower specific gravity than other softwoods.

It also has some shortcomings, in that in the first trunk there are some drooping knots as the branching in the lower part of the tree tends to shrivel. In the second and subsequent trunks, the knots are well tied and hard. Therefore, the material of the first trunk is specially selected and separated.

Its species is suitable for all areas of construction because of its special elesticity, as well as carpentry, joinery and interior and exterior furniture.

Weather-resistant

Because of its easy impregnation and weather resistance, it is also suitable for the production of balconies and terraces and exterior facades, and not least for the production of shingles and plumbing works. Modernity had led it to be neglected, but now it is being rediscovered again by prominent architects.

ABILAM-WEB-ABETE-BIANCO

The FriulDane business network

To guarantee our customers a raw material coming from a “short supply chain” and an extraordinary essence very present in the forests of North East Italy (Abete Bianco – Abies Alba), since 2017 we have participated in a Business Network made up of operators of the various activities of the Forest-Wood supply chain present in the mountainous territory of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

The first Italian Business Network (FRIULDANE) for the valorisation of the Abete Bianco, especially with its special structural, environmental and contrasting characteristics to the climatic increase in global temperature (global warming), listed and commented by the researcher Prof. Giorgio Vacchiano.

Climate Change

Abete Bianco: hiker in climate change

Climate change, biodiversity and the bioeconomy are key drivers of today’s forestry challenges. This leads to demands for climate-tolerant, stable and hardy tree species. After years of neglect, the silver fir will do justice because it has all these properties and in this phase of climate overheating, the Abete Bianco is the species that best adapts to drought and rising temperatures.

By its nature it is difficult to attack by parasites and shows the lowest susceptibility to damage compared to other conifers. Due to these characteristics, silver fir has a high value for nature conservation and serves as a biotope.

Unique Properties

The Abete Bianco, even in the most unfavorable conditions, can live up to 250 years and even reach the considerable height of 60-70 meters. It is born spontaneously under the foliage of the largest trees ready to make the leap towards the light as soon as the spaces open up around it that are created thanks to sustainable forest thinning by man or by a natural phenomenon (wind ) which crushes the weakest trees.

The particular roots of the Abete Bianco penetrate deep into the soil and provide support to the slopes and steep slopes of the mountains. For this reason it is also called an “ecological tree” or one that contributes to the whole of a mixed forest. Silver fir has always been used in special conditions (buried or submerged) thanks to its particular resistance. Thus the city of Venice was also built on larch and white fir trunks which still support the lagoon city today.

Mechanical and Physical Performance

Our “Friuldane” network, in the context of technical support for businesses, has commissioned a specific cycle of research on the Abete Bianco species (Dane in Friulian) from the CATAS research institute of San Giovanni al Natisone.

Never before in the world has this essence been studied so thoroughly because it has always been considered a “disadvantaged” species compared to red spruce of Nordic origin. A species that found its origin and expansion several thousand years ago in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, to migrate over time towards the Balkan regions.

This species covers a percentage of the forests of Friuli Venezia Giulia of approximately 15%, and occupies an area of 20,000 hectares on which trunks are increased annually for a volume of 45,000 cubic metres. The results of the research were surprising, and exalted this species for its lightness, mechanical performance, aesthetic quality, durability and growth.

Full research documentation here