Wood science and conservation: Activities and achievements of COST Action IE0601

COST Action IE0601 (2007–2011) aimed at promoting the science needed for the conservation of wooden cultural heritage. It involved 26 COST countries and three institutions from non-COST countries, allowed the organisation of five international conferences, 12 focused meetings and five training schools. This special issue of Journal of Cultural Heritage gathers significant contributions to the field. It is structured in seven parts: basic wood science for conservation; examining wooden cultural heritage objects; timber structures; painted wood; waterlogged wood; musical instruments; treatment and retreatment of wooden objects.