The Role of Monumental Trees in Defining Local Identity and in Tourism. A case study in the Marches region

The paper presents an explorative research about the relict Monumental Trees in the Marches region, with the aim to describe and give some interpretations about theproblematic relationship between economic activities and the landscape. After thedefinition of Monumental Tree, we describe its multiple meanings, in religion, mystics,education, environment, and even in tourism. The paper gives the inventory of theresource in the Marches, and reports results of Key Informants’ perceptions about the necessity to conserve Monumental Trees in the frame work of the Regional Landscapeand Environment Plan and the role of Monumental Trees in defining the local "territorialidentity".