Street trees in a county town in south China

Abstract

A survey of 1084 street trees in the continuously built-up parts of a county town in the southern province of Fujian provides some hints on tree management in China. Of the 20 species encountered, there are clear preferences for exotic, large, foliage-shade and evergreen ones. The number of species in fashion at a given time is restricted to a few. Trees are found in most arterial and tributary roads with few off-road ones in the densely-packed lots. Along new roads growth spaces are generously provided for the well-cared recently-planted trees. The largely mature and poorly-maintained trees in old quarters survive in more confined and stressful niches. Most trees are rather small and in good condition. The potential to reach large mature size will significantly alter the town's greenscape. -from Author