Living Archives: Pine Resin Harvesting and Culturally Modified Trees as Intangible Cultural Heritage in Poland

Abstract

Pine resin harvesting, a traditional practice in Poland, involves carefully stripping a small section of bark to collect raw resin from pine trees. This skill, passed down through generations, has been integral to producing valuable goods such as turpentine, traditional medicine, glue, and other forest-based products. Resin harvesting played an important economic and cultural role in many rural communities, particularly in forested regions where livelihoods were closely connected to the sustainable use of non-timber forest resources. Today, pine resin harvesting is an at-risk element of Poland’s intangible cultural heritage, with only a few remaining practitioners left preserving and transmitting this knowledge. Preserving and revitalizing this practice is essential for its continuity across gen-erations, while conserving the old-growth trees marked by this tradition supports ecological diversity and strengthens the relationship between cultural heritage and the natural environment. This article explores the role of pine resin harvesting in the Lower Vistula River Valley and Tuchola Forest regions of Poland, emphasizing ongoing efforts to document and safeguard its associated knowledge and skills. Drawing on field research, interviews with knowledge holders, and collaboration with forestry institutions, it highlights the importance of intergenerational transmission and community engagement in sustaining this heritage. By situating pine resin harvesting within the context of culturally modified trees, the article demonstrates how resin-harvested pines function as living archives of human interaction with forest ecosystems. These trees provide tangible evidence of historical land-use practices while supporting biodiversity and ecological resilience. The article argues that documenting and recognizing this heritage not only contributes to the revitalization of an at-risk tradition, but also promotes a shift in forestry and conservation practices that acknowledges the interconnections between cultural heritage, ecological stewardship, and biocultural diversity.