Phytopathological monitoring of plantings in the park of Saint Petersburg State Forest Technical University

Abstract

   In order to identify threatened trees, major diseases and damage to tree species in the park of the St. Petersburg State Forestry University named after S.M. Kirov, which is under the protection of the Committee for State Control, Use and Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments (KGIOP), a phytopathological examination was performed using existing techniques. The park is dominated by old trees. As trees grow and develop, profound changes in the structure of the wood occur. Trunks are often affected by rot caused by various types of wood-destroying fungi. Clumpy and central rot are especially
dangerous, causing a decrease in the mechanical strength of trunks, well as root rot that disrupts supporting functions. As a result of the survey, the condition of the trees was determined, fungal diseases and their foci were identified, damage to trees as infection gates, and threat trees were identified, most of which show signs of damage by wood-destroying fungi. The largest number of threatened trees is represented by maple Acer platanoides L. (46 %), as well as leaf-crown Larix sp. (14 %), linden Tilia cordata L. (13 %) and oak Quercus robur L. (7.5 %). The main criteria for the allocation of these trees to the "threat" category were the presence of rot, fruit bodies of fungi, hollows, trunk slopes with root tearing – an indirect sign of root rot – or with a slope of 45° or more. Recommendations aimed at increasing safety for material assets and visitors to the park, as well as contributing to the preservation of the park's landscape compositions, are proposed. Trees affected by pathogens that cause stem and root rot are recommended for harvesting.