Drzewa przydrożne w gminie Buczkowice (województwo śląskie)

The research consisted of inventory and health status assessment of 105 roadside trees growing along Voivodeship Road 942 (Buczkowice commune, Silesian Voivodeship). During the study, dendrometric data, such as: tree height, circumference and diameter at the base and at the breast height, crown height, height to first branches, crown span and its shape were collected. Roadside trees, on the one hand, are aesthetic element of road surroundings responsible for environmental and protective functions, and on the other they effect on the safety of road users. Taking this into consideration, it is necessary to take care of regularity of maintenance activities and treatments to ensure proper trees health. At the same time, the proximity of the road may lead to need to remove some trees - e.g. during modernization and construction works related to road infrastructure. Roadside trees in the Buczkowice commune belonged to 13 species, among which 10 were deciduous tree species and 3 were coniferous species. The most numerous were black poplars cultivar 'Italica' (Populus nigra L. 'Italica', 21 specimens). Two invasive alien species (green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica and black locust Robinia pseudoacacia) were found with a total number of 15. Three trees had circumference that corresponded to the circumference of monumental trees (two sycamores Acer pseudoplatanus and one black alder Alnus glutinosa). Trees health condition was based on presence of trunk and crown damage. Specifically, 53 of the examined roadside trees had satisfactory, 37 - average, 9 - good and 6 - poor health condition. In order to keep trees in good health, regular conservation and protection treatments are recommended. It was noted that such actions can help reduce the risk to road safety. The main threats to roadside trees were also indicated (collisions with vehicles, increase in salinity due to the use of chemicals to prevent road icing during winter and waste deposited around trees). In addition, the quantitative status of roadside trees in 2018 and 2022 were compared. Before 2022, 46 trees were removed as a result of road investments involving the construction of ring road of Buczkowice, sidewalk and bicycle path.