Importance of Cytospora damage in relation to health state of birch trees in urban greenery - Demonstrated by example of the Nitra town

Abstract

Over the years 2005-2007, the health state of Betula species in urban environment of Slovakia was evaluated with prime emphasis on occurrence and harmfulness of Cytospora betulicola Fautr. on example of the Nitra town. Damage degree to selected birch trees in five different greenery types of usage/location (street plantings, plantings in residential areas - neighbourhood plantings, main-roadside plantings, park plantings, special-purpose greenery) was determined in relation to incidence of the Cytospora fungus, wood destroying fungi and unknown factors. The one-way ANOVA did not confirm generally a significant influence of greenery type of usage/location on the damage degree of birch trees. Significant differences in the damage degree values were confirmed between some greenery types by using t-test. Cytospora fungus and wood destroying fungi significantly influenced birch health state decrease. Results of multifactorial variance analysis have confirmed a significant influence of two factors, Cytospora betulicola and wood destroying fungi on increase of damage degree.