Hardwoods forests are a main underused resource in Europe and we need to rethink forest practices to reactivate abandoned land and develop new value chains. Novel engineered hardwoods products (beech, birch, ash, hybrid) and building systems can inspire more innovation. We need more European collaboration in R+I and policy advocacy for underused wood value chains as a climate solution for the construction sector.

Presentation at the international symposium 'Native hardwoods: the resilience of the forest sector?' hosted by Galician Agency for Forest-based Industry -XERA- Xunta de Galicia in Lugo, Spain on Feb 28 to March 1, 2024 in the framework of the regional 'Project for Valorizing the Timber of Native Hardwoods in Galicia' and the European project RESONATE 'Rsilient forest value chains - enhancing resilience through natural and socio-economic responses' funded by Horizon Europe.