Zermatt Magazin 2017

Einheimische Produkte | Zermatt Magazin 63
Native products
Swiss pine wood is good for health
The region of Zermatt has the
highest tree line of the Alpine
range. In the upper Matter Valley
there are areas of forest with
dense stands of trees up to a
height of 2300 metres above sea
level. Today, some individual
trees grow as high as 2800 m.
These are larches and Swiss
pines, which can withstand the
forces of nature in their exposed
locations.
The Swiss pine (also known as the
arolla pine, the Swiss stone pine or
Arven) has been used by mankind
for centuries in many different
ways. It takes a long time for these
stately trees to reach their giddy
heights. Indeed, they only start producing
pine cones at between 40
and 90 years old. Swiss pines thrive
in temperatures ranging from minus
40 to plus 40 degrees Celsius
and are therefore ideally suited to
the tough mountain climate. Nutcrackers
help to spread their seeds
and protected ravens collect the
pine nuts and bury them in countless
hiding places as winter food
stocks. The young saplings germinate
there and naturally rejuvenate
the mountain forests.
The Swiss pine yields the lightest
wood of all native conifers. Being
soft and easy to work, it became an
ideal material for making stylish
furniture, wall panelling and other
everyday objects. Thanks to its hygienic
properties it is also suitable
for milking accessories. Our ancestors
appreciated the pleasant aroma
of Swiss pine in their snug, woodlined
homes.
Sustainable exploitation
Christian Imboden (born in 1967)
works with Swiss pine in his workshop
on Uferweg in Zermatt. He
has been running the Holzprofi Zermatt
AG carpentry business there
since 2003 and currently employs
ten members of staff and one apprentice.
This energetic team works
directly with its customers on a wide
range of versatile projects for interior
works, restorations and furniture
making. They meet individual requirements
with relish, skill and
plenty of experience. With his simple
approach, Imboden, who is also
a ski instructor, has a flexible way of
working that never fails to impress.
When possible, the Zermatt-born
carpenter works with timber felled
in the Matterhorn region. Innovative
design concepts with the
health-giving qualities of Swiss pine
continue to be extremely popular.
While Christian Imboden builds
practical kitchens and comfortable
furniture, his wife Susanne creates
pillows designed to induce sleep.
She fills breathable cotton pillow
cases in two sizes with fresh wood
shavings, which convey a pleasant
sense of wellbeing in living rooms
for up to 24 months.
The scent of Swiss pine has been
scientifically proven to be relaxing
and to ensure optimal recovery during
the hours of darkness. The first
and deepest sleep cycle lasts longer,
which has a positive effect on snoring
too. The aromas of the essential
oils present in the wood help to reduce
the daily pulse rate to around
3500 beats. The antibacterial effect
of the wood also brings a welcome
degree of hygiene, restricts the formation
of fungi and keeps unwanted
pests at bay.
Swiss pine helps children who
have trouble getting to sleep or
sleeping through the night. Susanne
Imboden has introduced some soft
toys filled with shavings for this
purpose. The Herz teddy bear, the
Ramona cow and the two sizes of
Knudel sheep are very popular with
small children.
Lying on a pillow filled with Swiss
pine takes a bit of getting used to.
People who prefer to sleep on a
conventional pillow can just put it
next to their heads. The effect of the
shavings lasts for around two years
before they need to be replaced.
Top-up packs can be ordered from
Susanne Imboden. The “old” shavings
can be put to use warding off
moths in the wardrobe for a while
afterwards.
zm
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