The art of carving – ‘ntaccàri

Usually the first cut is done around the middle/end of July. During this time the scalzatura (or squasatura) is done. It consists in removing the ground around the trunk to lay bare the upper part of the larger roots; this helps the plant to enter a condition of water stress necessary for production. To find the right moment for the first cut, the ash grower examines the tree to determine whether it is ready plant by checking that the ground is completely dry and comes off the roots, that the leaves change color from dark green to yellowish green; he also checks the degree of stress of the tree by touching the degree of wilting of the foliage.

When the plant is ready, he makes the first cut with a special knife called mannaruolu; the cut is done transversely at the base of the trunk, 5-10 cm from the ground. The cuts (ntacche) are done every morning at a distance of about 2-3 centimeters from the one. The first cut is done in the second half of July and the cuts are finished in late September depending on weather conditions.