An interdisciplinary approach integrating dendrochronology, botanical data, and archival sources to reconstruct the historical evolution of a garden: the case of Villa De Capoa, an urban garden in the Mediterranean basin

Abstract Historic gardens constitute a significant dimension of Italy’s cultural heritage, reflecting the connection between vegetation and architectural elements. This study focuses on Villa De Capoa, a historic public garden in Campobasso municipality where 350 trees were surveyed, comprising 181 angiosperms and 169 gymnosperms. Since documentation on the garden’s origins and changes is limited, an interdisciplinary method combining archival research, botanical surveys, and dendrochronology was used to reconstruct its development. Dendrochronological analysis identified three main phases of intervention, confirming the historical hypothesis: the initial neoclassical design (1830s–1850s), represented by oldest trees of Cupressus sempervirens ; after modifications subsequent its donation to the Campobasso Girls’ Orphanage (1870s–1880s), marked by Aesculus hippocastanum plantings; and the 1930s redesign reflecting fascist-era rationalist aesthetics, with Sequoia sempervirens and Cedrus deodara . Age structure analysis also identified three areas: Area 1 shows the widest age variability among its trees (52–182 years), the outcome of a series of successive and overlapping interventions. Area 2 features a coherent group (140–187 years), indicating a relatively unified planting activity. Area 3 uniform 1930s plantings. This interdisciplinary approach helps clarify planting sequences, verify historical interpretations, and supports conservation planning for gardens both as cultural and ecological heritage sites.