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

• Main Authors: Zocco Pisana L, Capretti P, Giachini M, Salbitano F, Feducci M, Tiberi R, Panzavolta T, Vannuccini M, Luchi N
• Format: Article
• Language: Italian
• Published: Italian Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology (SISEF) 2008-09-01
• Series: Forest@
• Subjects: Alberature; Database; Funghi; Insetti; Monitoraggio; Opera delle Mura di Lucca
• Online Access: http://www.sisef.it/forest@/show.php?id=531&lang=en

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.