On the Alps the Swiss pine, or Pinus Cembra, is found between 1,400 and 2,600 metres a.s.l.. It grows very slowly, it is resistant to freezing temperatures, and its wood is soft, light and aromatic.
For these reasons it has been used in the Dolomites since ancient times for the production of bedroom furniture. In the picture you can see an example of a parlour completely lined with this beautiful type of wood. Recently it has come back in fashion as a building material, also thanks to its beneficial properties.
Find a Swiss pine: look close to the footpath. They are trees roughly 5 metres tall, similar to a spruce, but with much longer needles, up to 5 centimetres.
If the sun is shining, try smelling their bark (make sure you don’t rip it off!), or rubbing some needles between your fingers: you will be able to smell the legendary Swiss pine scent.