Effects of urban tree pruning on ecosystem services performance

• DOI: 10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100503
• Publication Date: 2024-01-14T02:11:42Z
• Authors: Desirée Muscas; Fabio Orlandi; Roberto Petrucci; Chiara Proietti; Luigia Ruga; Marco Fornaciari
• Keywords: Pruning; Tree health; Landscaping; Cupressus; Urban Forestry

Pruning represents the main tree care activity in cities, where it is carried out to reduce wind-break risk, ensure road visibility, infrastructure interactions and damages, last but not least, for aesthetic reasons. However, pruning also proven increase susceptibility disease can potentially affect their capacity provide ecosystem services (ES). This study aims assess effect of three different life-long scenarios on urban trees PM10 capture CO2 stock performance. The total carbon balance twelve species (Acer platanoides L., Cedrus spp., Celtis australis Cupressus arizonica Greene, sempervirens Pinus halepensis Mill., nigra J.F. Arnold, pinea L. Platanus hybrida Brot., Populus var. 'Italica', Quercus ilex Tilia cordata Mill.) was evaluated, including disposal residues trees. In all management studied, represented an opportunity crown Carbon up 65%, taking into account full reestablishment crown. results suggest considering more frequent less intense ordinary as a preferable strategy optimise ES performance minimise branch dieback occurrence. addition, analysis four waste wood methods showed that open dump scenario lowest eq re-emission choice.