Copyright © by the Italian Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology doi: 10.3832/efor0531-0050253

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Survey and management of tree disease along the ancient Lucca’s city walls (Italy)

Luchi N ⁽¹⁾, Vannuccini M ^(3-4), Panzavolta T ⁽²⁾, Tiberi R ⁽²⁾, Feducci M ⁽¹⁾, Salbitano F ⁽³⁾, Giachini M ⁽⁴⁾, Zocco Pisana L ⁽⁵⁾, Capretti P ⁽¹⁾

(1) Dip.to Biotecnologie Agrarie, Sezione di Patologia vegetale, Università degli Studi di Firenze, p.le delle Cascine 28, I-50144 Firenze (Italy); (2) Dip.to Biotecnologie Agrarie, Sezione di Entomologia Generale ed Applicata, Università degli Studi di Firenze, v. Maragliano 77, I-50144 Firenze (Italy); (3) Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Forestali, Università degli Studi di Firenze, v. S. Bonaventura 13, I-50145 Firenze (Italy); (4) Eureco Studio Associato, v. Poggiolo e Tarole 8/A, I-51100 Pistoia (Italy); (5) Opera delle Mura, Castello di Porta S. Donato Nuova, I-55100 Lucca (Italy)

Abstract: In this study the phytosanitary conditions of the trees running along the Lucca’s city walls, and managed by “Opera delle Mura di Lucca”, were monitored over three years. The goal of this work was to implement a database useful for periodic management, which was named “Informative System of Standing Trees” (Sistema Informativo delle Alberature). Each tree was assigned to one of the four different “management classes”: class 0, no damage was present; class 1, corresponding to low damage, with plants to be checked every year; class 2, including trees deserving instrumental analysis, such as those with a resistograph; class 3, trees showing high damage, that need cutting or pruning of dangerous portions of the plants. Out of 2706 trees monitored, 1587 (corresponding to 59%) showed some damage by fungi or insects. Among these, 16% were included in class 3, 23% in class 2, and 20% in class 1. Among the fungi detected, Ceratocystis platani responsible for canker on sycamore (Platanus sp.) and rot fungi on stem and branches were the most common. Wood-boring beetles, such as Buprestidae and Cerambycidae, were responsible of severe damages on oaks. The combined action of both fungi and insect had an high impact on tree stability. For this reason, a continuous monitoring of standing trees seems important. The “Informative System of Standing Trees” database represents an useful tool for evaluating the periodical operations needed, but also for the detection of emerging diseases, such as those due to new biological invasions.

Received: Dec 29, 2007 - Accepted: May 26, 2008 - Published online: Sep 02, 2008

Full Text DOI (Digital Object Identifier): 10.3832/efor0531-0050253

Citation: Luchi N, Vannuccini M, Panzavolta T, Tiberi R, Feducci M, Salbitano F, Giachini M, Zocco Pisana L, Capretti P, 2008. Survey and management of tree disease along the ancient Lucca’s city walls (Italy). Forest@ 5 (1): 253-261. [online 2008-09-02] URL: http://www.sisef.it/forest@/show.php?id=531 - [doi: 10.3832/efor0531-0050253]

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