Culturally modified trees are a new type of cultural heritage in Scandinavia, introduced by Swedish researchers in the 1990s. One characteristic type is bark-peeled pine trees, which have Sami origin, and are protected by law in Norway. Today such trees reflect a previous sustainable use of forest resources, which is very different from modern clear-cutting of ancient forests. As a result, they represent a different kind of forestry history, in contrast to the technological and masculine content that largely characterises the current dissemination of human relationships to forest growths. There are indications that bark-peeled trees were also considered sacred by the Sami people. This gives museums special challenges when it comes to communication, as in cases where bark-peeled trees are to be removed from their natural environment, and preserved indoors. Another issue is whether the story behind these trees should be exclusively mediated by Sami institutions.
Combining high-resolution remotely sensed data with local and Indigenous Knowledge to model the landscape suitability of culturally modified trees: biocultural stewardship in Kitasoo/Xai’xais Territory