An essential element of the traditional Franche-Comté culture, the fir tree was formerly used extensively by the peasants of the Jura mountains. It was used to heat the homes and illuminate the exterior, some of its branches commonly serving as torches. It protected against bad weather by allowing the people and animals to be sheltered under its purposely pruned branches. It was also employed extensively as timber for the houses, in particular for the 'tavaillons' (wooden roof tiles). Finally, the spruce pitch was used to caulk boats and represented an important source of income from the Middle Ages.