Discover the enchanted forest of Les Arses and its resonant wood

The importance of moonwood
The timing of the cutting of a tree according to the lunar phases is of crucial importance for certain uses of wood. The moon exerts an influence on water, so it is natural that a tree, a living being composed of water, is subject to it. The proportion of water fluctuates in organic matter depending on the time of the lunar cycle. The date of harvest impacts the quality of the wood in terms of drying, its potential deformations and its resistance to decomposition agents (fungi or insects). Also taking into account the seasonal cycle of vegetation, the times conducive to the production of moonwood are between the months of November and February, after the full moon.

Woods that sing
In addition to its use for construction or for tavillonnage, some moonwoods can be used for the manufacture of stringed instruments such as violins, guitars or pianos. In the case of resonance wood, the date of felling according to the moon is the key to a quality instrument. Other factors related to the situation of the forest itself are added to that of the lunar cycle.

The magic of the Arses forest
Not all woods sing, only those who have been able to grow quietly in specific conditions succeed. The Arses forest offers an optimal environment for the production of resonance wood: this scree forest located in a comb between 1000 and 1500 meters above sea level and facing north allows a slow growth of plants. The tree pickers of the Groupement forestier du Pays-d'Enhaut identify the sounding wood. Once cut and dried, the quarters are shaped in the premises of the Group.

Duration: 3 h