Sustaining veteran trees as cultural and natural heritage.

This paper proposes conceptual hints about the role and the meaning of monumental trees under a contemporary crisis of values. The permanency of monumental trees in time and space can be guaranteed through a strategy of actions finalized to recognize monumental trees as nat-ural and historical heritage, and elements of landscape richness. Moreover, the value of legisla-tion is stressed but the need of community participation processes as well as the landscape plan-ning and management of its relevant natural, historical and social elements are also highlighted.