ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Influence of an Urban Paved Environment
on Tree Dimensions and Vitality Characteristics:
A Case Study of Sycamore Maple
(Acer pseudoplatanus L.)
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1
University of Novi Sad, Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment, Novi Sad, Serbia
2
University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Fruit Growing, Viticulture,
Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Novi Sad, Serbia
Submission date: 2018-06-15
Final revision date: 2018-09-18
Acceptance date: 2018-10-07
Online publication date: 2019-08-02
Publication date: 2019-09-17
Corresponding author
Ksenija Hiel
University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Fruit growing, Viticulture, Horticulture and Landscape architecture, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2019;28(6):4247-4255
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ABSTRACT
In this research, tree sensitivity to the surrounding highly paved environment was analysed at
several locations within one urban core (Novi Sad, Serbia). In the future, urban areas will become denser
and will, in interaction with intensive climate change, negatively affect the urban forestry performance.
Hence, in-depth understanding of the interactions between site-specific parameters, such as pavement and
trees, is necessary. When conducting analyses, in this research the data was separated into four groups
(0−2; 2−4; 4−6; >6 m) by two grouped parameters that define the interaction between trees and paved
surfaces across the streets. The findings revealed that paved surroundings exerted the most significant
effect on tree dimensions and lower on vitality. Moreover, tree height, diameter at breast height, crown
width and phytopathological and entomological damage emerged as the most reliable indicators of plant
stress caused by the negative influences of a paved environment. Reduced uniformity was noted for
trees closer to the traffic and in areas with a narrow landscape strip. In general, the distance from the
traffic has a stronger influence than the width of landscape strip on the analysed tree characteristics.
Furthermore, the sycamore maple and its red leaf cultivar can be recommended for planting in highly
paved areas across streets.