Biotic urban growing conditions-threats, pests and diseases

Abstract

Woody plants in the urbanized landscape are highly influenced by the presence of pests and diseases. The objective of this chapter is to provide an insight into the current main problems affecting urban trees due to biotic agents at the European level. The goal is to offer basic knowledge of the most important pathogens focusing on what is specific to the European situation. The reader can also find examples of some of the latest European problems and recent findings. Importance is given to the control methods currently adopted in Europe, including discussion of their feasibility. The chapter concludes with some remarks on how the situation is in Europe at present and in which direction we should work in the near future. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.