Metla Project 7148

Tree Health in Built Urban Nature

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Duration: 2004-2005   Keywords: Acer spp., Betula spp., Tilia spp., decay fungi, risk assessment, urban tree

Objectives

The aims of the study are to improve the management and protection of old urban trees in the Helsinki City, and to help authorities in timing the removals of trees in poor condition. We want to increase knowledge of the interaction between external injuries and internal decay of the most common urban tree species (Tilia spp., Acer spp., Betula spp.) in Finland. We also want to investigate which pathogen species are causing the severest problems to tree health in urban surroundings in Finland.

Results

In order to study decay, and to improve the management and protection of old urban trees, a total of 256 felled urban trees were examined during 2001-2003: 95 Tilia spp., 74 Betula spp., and 87 Acer spp. Most of the trees were located in the main parks and along the main streets in the downtown area of Helsinki City. The mean age of the trees was over 60 years, and the majority were old park trees.

Some characteristic profiles for potential failure were identified for each of the tree species studied: Ganoderma lipsiense in the butts and hollows in the stems of Tilia spp., weak fork formations together with Rigidoporus populinus on Acer spp., and degeneration together with decay in the stem on Betula spp.

Decay fungi most commonly identified were R. populinus, G. lipsiense, Inonotus obliquus and Piptoporus betulinus. In addition, Kretzchmaria deusta was very common in three of the parks, and on every one of the tree species investigated.

Project leader: Hallaksela, Anna Maija

Other researchers: Terho, Minna (2004-05)


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Updated 12.06.2012
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