Image - Souto - author: Luchy Polo mixed ink / watercolor s / paper
Accustomed to Mediterranean forest and pasture, the humanization of it for its operation, I found in Galicia in "some form" equivalent: the souto .
souto are The vegetation of a single species, chestnut (Castanea sativa, Mill) . The structure and size of trees, and the distance between each individual does is left to natural growth of a forest, but corresponds to planning for their farm. Fruit and wood have been a source of wealth, or rather, of livelihood for many communities in the interior of Galicia.
This farm unit, once had great importance and forced the imtroducción maximum of this species in Galicia, as happened in other parts of the Peninsula. At present, due to the preference of other crops, its extent has been reduced. The presence of old chestnut trees, meadows splashed more than an obvious neglect, are the remnant of former glories.
Its imposing and categorical logs, under to drastic pruning in pursuit of maximum productivity, impressed so shocking when you walk through these lands.
