Metla Project 7071

Wounds and decay of urban trees

[  Suomeksi  |  Objectives  |  Results  |  Project leader  |  Researchers  |  Metla Research  ]

Duration: 2001-2003   Keywords: Acer spp., Betula spp., Tilia spp., decay fungi, risk assessment, urban tree

Objectives

The aim of the study is to
  1. Add knowledge of interaction between external injuries and inner decay of the most common urban tree species in Finland.
  2. How these tree species; linden, maple and birch are decaying after wounding.
  3. Which parts of trees are the most hazardous leading to collapse.
  4. Which decay fungi species are the most dangerous.
  5. To develop monitoring methods for tree health and timing of fellings of park and street trees.

Results

During 2001 total of 108 sample trees have been felled 50 birches, 37 maples, and 21 lindens. All these trees are photographed and all the external marks of injuries (wounds, cracks, cavities etc.), their dimensions and locations are measured before felling. Also microprobe is used to predict the amount of decay. The inner decay is then measured from the cross sections after tree felling. These cross sections were also photographed. Samples are taken from each cross section to determine the decay fungi. According to the preliminary results from the visual measurements, the most common decay fungi found are Ganoderma lipsiense on linden, Rigidoporus populinus on maple, and Inonotus obliquus. and Piptoporus betulinus on birch.

Project leader: Hallaksela, Anna Maija

Other researchers: Terho, Minna, VA (2001-03)


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Updated 12.06.2012
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