Forest of Tronçais

Typical straight rides through the forest

The Forest of Tronçais (Forêt de Tronçais) is a French national forest, a forêt domaniale,^[1] comprising 10,600 hectares in the Allier, managed by the Office national des forêts (ONF). Its oaks, planted by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, minister of [[Louis XIV of France}|Louis XIV]] to supply the French navy, constitute one of the principal stands of oaks in Europe.

Within the forest boundaries are the communes of Braize, Cérilly, Isle-et-Bardais, Le Brethon, Meaulne, Saint-Bonnet-Tronçais, Urçay, Valigny and Vitray.

Flora

The principal trees are Black Oak (Quercus petraea) (73%), whose ancient name in French, tronce, gave its name to the district, and Beech (Fagus sylvatica) (9%), le chêne pédonculé (8%). There are also le charme, et le pin sylvestre planted in the poorest soils. Trees are harvested on a rotation averaging 250 years.

The oaks of Tronçais, representing some 80% of production, are prized for the barrels coopered for cognac and the great wines of Bordeaux. They are exported to wineries of California and elsewhere in the United States, and to Argentina.

The forest is not a relic of the primeval forest that once covered most of France, but was organized by Colbert in 1670, with forethought for the requirements of the French navy two hundred years hence, the present futaie Colbert, now reduced to a few hectares. By the time the trees were fully mature, the navy was rapidly switching from sail to steam. The forest was diminished by the creation in 1788 of iron forges fed by charcoal from the forest,^[2] and by urgent cutting during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic period. The forest regenerated during the 19th century.

Notes

^ A forêt domaniale is a category corresponding to the French State's inalienable domaine, as heir to the monarchy, under a judicial regime distinct from the national patrimoine and from private property, defined by a royal edict issued from Moulins in 1566. (French Wikipedia: Forêt domaniale).
^ The forges established by Nicolas Rambourg remained in use until 1932.

[1] A forêt domaniale is a category corresponding to the French State's inalienable domaine, as heir to the monarchy, under a judicial regime distinct from the national patrimoine and from private property, defined by a royal edict issued from Moulins in 1566. (French Wikipedia: Forêt domaniale).

[2] The forges established by Nicolas Rambourg remained in use until 1932.

[1]

[2]