A study of the relationship between site conditions and urban tree growth

Abstract

A study of urban London plane Platanus acerifolia was undertaken in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. One third of the 25 year old trees were in compacted gravel, one third in a paved area and one third in turf. Significant differences in tree condition were found between the three sites, as well as significant differences in soil dry bulk density, aeration, soil moisture tension and foliar essential element concentrations. Spring soil aeration, summer soil moisture stress, and foliar nitrogen and potassium concentrations had most influence on tree performance. -from Authors