Recent contributions addressing the assessment and protection of historic timber structures—VSI Foreword

Timber is a fundamental building material of our architectural heritage, integral to iconic structures from ancient temples to medieval cathedrals. These historic timber structures stand as testaments to human ingenuity and craftsmanship. However, timber is a material inherently sensitive to aging, decay, and a variety of natural and human-induced hazards. While past research has made notable contributions towards understanding these phenomena and identifying mitigation solutions, the diversity of timber structures and their environmental contexts indicate there are still many unaddressed issues. In this context, this Special Issue refocuses scholarly attention on the preservation and protection of these historic timber structures, building upon research advancements targeting their assessment and conservation. This Special Issue presents a collection of recent contributions discussing methodologies for the assessment of historic timber structures, which include examining the cultural value and significance they embody. Moreover, several articles address techniques for their conservation that may involve in-depth material, behaviour or environmental analyses.