Survey of Urban Trees in Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

Data are presented on the populations of the 10 major species grown as ornamental street trees in Brussels, the percentages of healthy, decaying and dead trees, and the heavy metal (Pb, Cu, Cd, Ni and Zn) contents of dusts and metallic particles sampled around the trees. The most suitable trees for urban planting appeared to be Populus euramericana, Platanus acerifolia, Robinia pseud-acacia, Ulmus glabra and various species of Malus and Crataegus. The methods used to survey the trees and to test air pollution effects on woody plants in the laboratory are discussed.