Carvalhal (RH Florestal)

Carvalhal is the largest and most diverse property within the forestry portfolio of RH Florestal, the forestry segment of RH Portugal, launched in 2015. Acquired in 2019, the 220-hectare estate is located in Penha Garcia, in the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova, Castelo Branco district. Since acquisition, the property has undergone formative pruning and thinning across most of its trees to promote strong, healthy growth and reduce wildfire risk. The land is composed mainly of cork oak, Pyrenean oak, stone pine, maritime pine and Bussaco cedar, with recent plantations of chestnut and pistachio trees. Native species such as narrow-leaved ash, black poplar and plane trees have also been planted along the property's watercourses and boundaries to support ecological restoration and biodiversity. Carvalhal features its own dam covering approximately 2.5 hectares, used for irrigation as well as recreational swimming and fishing. Camping is possible in shaded areas near the dam, under mature trees. The estate supports rich wildlife, including deer, fallow deer, hares, foxes, mallards, terrapins and wild boar, with deer often easily spotted during morning walks through the property. Carvalhal forms part of RH Florestal's broader approach to forest management, which values not only timber, cork and nut production but also the ecosystem services forests provide — carbon sequestration, biodiversity and soil conservation, and water cycle regulation. The company manages several forest properties across the Castelo Branco, Portalegre, Santarém and Guarda districts, aiming for a more multifunctional forestry model suited to future environmental and social needs.