Street trees in a county town in South China

A survey of 1084 street trees in the continuously built-up parts of a county town in the southern province of Fujian provides some hints on tree management in China. Information on species identification, dimensions, growth space and vigour of individual trees was collected. Of the 20 species encountered, there are clear preferences for exotic, large, foliage-shade and evergreen ones. The number of species in fashion at a given time is restricted to a few. Trees are found in most arterial and tributary roads with few off-road ones in the densely- packed lots. Along new roads growth spaces are generously provided for the well-cared recently-planted trees. The largely mature and poorly-maintained trees in old quarters survive in more confined and stressful niches. Both species selection and pruning approach below transmission lines are undesirable. Most trees are rather small and in good condition. The potential to reach large mature size will significantly alter the town’s greenscape. Some management implications are explored. Copyright © 1991 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.