Selection Approach of Urban Trees for Inner-city Environments: Learning from Nature    (View PDF)

Henrik Sjöman, Allan Gunnarsson, Stephan Pauleit, and Roland Bothmer

Abstract: High diversity of species and genera and site adaptation are two important factors in achieving a healthy and sustainable urban tree population. This paper presents and discusses a selection procedure for the identification of trees adapted to inner city environments. The procedure is based on dendroecological studies of trees in natural habitats, with similarities in climate and site conditions as inner city environments. By studying trees in such habitats, firsthand information can be gained on the growth and performance of a wide range of species and genotypes. Two field studies were conducted, one in central China and another in northeast Romania and the adjoining Republic of Moldavia with the aim to identify tree species and genotypes adapted to inner city environments in the northern parts of central Europe and the adjoining milder parts of northern Europe. In total, 27 tree species were identified as specialists for warm and periodically dry habitats. Of these tree species, only four are currently used frequently or used to some extent in northern Europe, meaning that 23 other tree species identified in the case studies can be potential supplements for diversification of the urban tree population.

Keywords: China; Dendroecology; Moldavia; Romania; Selection; Urban Environments; Urban Trees.

https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2012.027