Morfologia del territorio / Morphology

Morphology

The Municipality of San Benedetto val di Sambro, like draws its name, lies at the heart of the valley of the River Sambro, and is bordered to the east from the river Savena, and west from the river Setta
To the south, corresponding to the peaks of 'Apennines, bordering the region of Tuscany is here that, with 1190 m of Mount Bastion, you reach the maximum altitude shares of the municipality.
Proceeding north the land slopes gradually to reach, at the bridge of Locatello, the 300 m above sea level.
San Benedetto Val di Sambro is bordered by the towns of Castiglione dei Pepoli, Grizzana, Monzuno , Monghidoro and the Tuscan town of Firenzuola.
From the mount Cucchi, located at the watershed of the Apennines, start two main ridge. The first of these ridges is directed toward the northwest, towards Monteacuto Vallese, separating  the Sambro from the Setta river, the second directing to north east towards Montevenere separating the river Sambro from the river Savena.
Right on that ridge, which ran the old Roman road called "Flaminia military" that connected Bologna to Arezzo.
The municipal area is 6670 hectares, of which about 50% are covered by forests.
The forests are mostly oak and chestnut, with an extension of 1800 hectares, which swarms, this type of treatment is still the most widespread forest that you'll get a good income.
Conversely, even if the territory is located in the area traditionally occupied by chestnut and despite the cultivation of the plant has for centuries been a vital source of livelihood of the population, currently there are only about 600 hectares of chestnut, of which only 30 hectares are cured, the other for the most part are abandoned.
In recent years we are observing a slight recovery of the crop, due more to a form of passion that a financial interest.
The area above the 800 m, the beech forests cover an area of 500 hectares, while the high forest of conifers (all replanted undertaken in the 50th-60th years, mainly on abandoned pasture) cover an area of 400 hectares, 150 of them state property.
The few high forests of hardwoods, especially beech and oak, not exceeding 40 hectares. In the vicinity of San Benedetto are reported  two groves of oak, the first under the centre Amnil that is already partially cleaned.
The second on the road to the hill, that cleaned and maintained, would contribute to an enhancement of our zones.

Thank to the prevailing north facing, for the most part the forests are mesophilic, that is typical of most fresh and moist slopes.
The main species of deciduous oaks are present, particularly oak (Quercus cerris), which in many areas replaced the chestnut fruit now abandoned for decades, chestnut (Castanea sativa), hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia) and the beech (Fagus sylvatica). Two pieces of oak for large, protected by law as part of a regional nature, are present in the locality Casone di Ripoli, a beautiful specimen of beech 122 cm in diameter, which is also protected, is located in area Rongrino over Qualto.

Other plants which are not present in real woods, but they can be found , are the dominant species on the ash (Fraxinus excelsior), maple mountain (Acerpseudoplatanus), the field maple (Acer campestris) also known as oppio.
These plants in recent years have had a strong growth due to adaptability to climate and a good resistance to pollutants (acid rain, increased carbon dioxide, etc.)..
The same fate has not fallen elm (Ulmus glutinosa) than in 80 years has been decimated by a deadly fungus that causes the disease “graffiosi”: almost all plants, including many trees are dried up and now a rare tree can be observed in the village Capanna di Montefredente.

Finally it must be remember the cherry (Prunus avium), also on the rise in our woods, in spring with its white flowers graces the slopes of our mountains.

The oak (Quercus pubescens), xerofila species, lover of more  hot places, dominating the few best exposed and sunny slopes, often associated with other trees such as rowan (Sorbus domesticus) and the flowering ash (Fraxinus omus) and shrubs such as hazel (Corylus avellana), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), wild rose (Rosa canina) and juniper (Juniperus communis). The oldest specimens of oak communities are surveyed in La Casella of Piano del Voglio.
In damp places and along the rivers are the alder (Alnus glutinosa), black poplar (Populus nigra), white poplar (Populus alba) and several species of willows, including white willow (Salix alba) and osier (Salix viminalis). At one time these plants were treated and were used by man for various uses, the pollarded poplars in the summer when still full of leaves will provide invaluable beams used to feed cattle in winter, the willows, whose branches have elasticity and strength will replace the rope to tie bundles and sheaves were used by skilled weaver that would result baskets and baskets.
Much of the land that is not forest is in a state of abandon, especially at the higher altitudes, in many areas not cultivated and no longer grazed for many years have already established the shrub vegetation that precedes the colonization of the dominant tree species.
Farmland decrease from year to year, and currently the alfalfa is the most commonly cultivated species to produce forage for livestock.
If it continues the trend in a few decades, the natural reforestation of our mountains will take on even greater importance than it holds today.