In recent years, pine forests in the Canton of Valais (Switzerland) have shown an increase in mortality, which raises the question of whether changes in forest use have had an impact on this phenomenon. Using oral history interviews and various sources from the forest administration (e.g., management plans), forest use in these pine forests has been reconstructed. Special weight was accorded to agricultural uses. In-depth analyses were carried out in two case study regions, i.e., the municipality of Salgesch, Visp and Eyholz. The results show that many of these forest stands have been used intensively for wood-pasture and litter collecting. The article discusses the rationales behind these uses of the forest, as well as the reasons for the abandonment of the same in the second half of the 20^th century.